Circular No. 07/BYT-TT guiding the implementation of Decision No. 500/BYT-QĐ dated April 10, 1992 of the Ministry of Health on the Pharmacy Practice Regulations at drugstores

CIRCULAR

OF THE MINISTER OF HEALTH

OF THE MINISTER OF HEALTH NUMBER 07-BYT/TT DATED MAY 7, 1992 GUIDING IMPLEMENTATION OF DECISION NUMBER 500/BYT-QD DATED APRIL 10, 1992 OF THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH

ISSUING REGULATIONS ON "PRACTICING PHARMACY AT PHARMACIES"

On April 10, 1992, the Ministry of Health issued Decision No. 500/BYT-QD along with the Regulations on "Practicing Pharmacy at Pharmacies." To assist localities in promptly implementing the above regulations, the Ministry of Health provides specific guidance on the following points:

1. The subject to which the Regulations on "Practicing Pharmacy at Pharmacies" apply are individuals applying to open pharmacies with capital lower than the statutory minimum (70 million VND) as stipulated in Decree No. 221/HĐBT dated July 23, 1991 of the Council of Ministers regarding the detailed implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Private Enterprises.

2. The location for opening a pharmacy is a crucial condition to meet necessary professional requirements to ensure drug quality, being a separate place (isolated) not selling together with other groups of goods (tobacco, sweets, food...); in drug markets, pharmacy owners wishing to set up a sales location must also meet the conditions specified in the Regulations. Additionally, the location for opening a pharmacy is also a place that reflects the special nature of drug sales and those engaged in the pharmaceutical profession, therefore, no certificate of "Private Pharmaceutical Practice" shall be issued if the location for opening a pharmacy does not comply with the standards prescribed in Article 3 Clause 1 of the Regulations on "Private Pharmaceutical Practice at Pharmacies."

3. Those selling drugs must have a professional level of at least a Pharmacy Assistant. Individuals who were previously trained short-term by the Department of Health and received a certificate for drug sales now wishing to continue practicing drug sales at pharmacies must be retrained according to the Pharmacy Assistant program.

4. The owner pharmacist may request to change the pharmacy's location but can only do so after one year from the date of issuance of the "Certificate of Private Pharmaceutical Practice" or approval of the previous location. Before approving the new location, the Department of Health must inspect and then issue a notification to the applicant and inform the People's Committee of the district for easier supervision.

5. Medical trade unions at all levels, medical and pharmaceutical associations, universities and secondary schools of medicine, administrative agencies, public service units, and mass organizations are not allowed to open collective pharmacies as stipulated in Circular No. 462/CN dated February 12 of the Council of Ministers.

Hospitals and research institutes with hospital beds and multi-specialty clinics, if they need to open pharmacies for service purposes, should assign a pharmacist with sufficient qualifications as prescribed in Article 2 of the Regulations on "Practicing Pharmacy at Pharmacies" to register under their name.

Signs shall not bear the names of institutions, collectives, hospitals...

It is not permitted to compel patients to purchase drugs from pharmacies located within hospitals.

Medical practitioners and health care personnel shall not engage in both treatment and drug sales to patients simultaneously.

Private pharmacies within hospitals shall not obstruct the professional activities of state-owned pharmacies located within hospitals.

6. Departments of Health shall organize training sessions on the Regulations on "Practicing Pharmacy at Pharmacies" for pharmacy owner pharmacists, while guiding currently operating pharmacies to promptly complete procedures as required. Departments of Health need to immediately establish a Council for issuing certificates of "Private Pharmaceutical Practice" (CNHNDTN) for eligible subjects before June 30, 1992, to allow applicants sufficient time to register their business operations with the People's Committees of districts, towns, cities, and provincial capitals according to Decree No. 66-HĐBT dated March 2, 1992 of the Council of Ministers.

Currently operating pharmacies found to be lacking the conditions stipulated in the Regulations on Practicing Pharmacy at Pharmacies must have their licenses revoked before June 30, 1992.

Private pharmacies with capital exceeding 70 million VND are required to register according to the Law on Private Enterprises as per Circular No. 03/BYT-TT dated March 27, 1992 of the Ministry of Health.

7. Departments of Health shall organize the printing of the newly issued Regulations on "Practicing Pharmacy at Pharmacies" pursuant to Decision No. 500/BYT-QD dated April 10, 1992, and accompanying forms, and require pharmacy owners to purchase identification cards (cards) with a 3x4cm photo attached. The card size is: length 8.5cm, width 4.5cm, content includes:

Name of private pharmacy

Number (according to the order issued by the Department for the Certificate of CNHNDTN).

Full Name

Position

This card is for two categories: pharmacy owner pharmacists and sales staff.

8. After completing the issuance of certificates of private pharmaceutical practice, Departments of Health of provinces and cities need to report to the Ministry on the situation and number of private pharmacies allowed to practice.

Nguyen Van Dan