Circular No. 26/2025/TT-BYT stipulates on prescriptions and the prescription of chemical drugs, biological products for outpatient treatment at medical examination and treatment facilities issued by the Minister of Health.

 CIRCULAR

REGULATIONS ON PRESCRIPTIONS AND THE ISSUE OF PRESCRIPTIONS FOR CHEMICAL MEDICINES AND BIOPRODUCTS IN OUTPATIENT TREATMENT AT HEALTH CARE FACILITIES

Pursuant to the Medicine Law 2016 amended and supplemented in 2024;

Pursuant to the Medical Examination and Treatment Law 2023;

Pursuant to Decree No. 42/2025/NĐ-CP dated February 27, 2025 of the Government; Pursuant to Decree No. 60/2021/NĐ-CP dated June 21, 2021, which establishes the financial autonomy mechanism for public service organizations, as amended and supplemented by Decree No. 111/2025/NĐ-CP dated May 22, 2025; Ministry of Health;

At the proposal of the Director of the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment;

The Minister of Health issues this Circular on prescriptions and the issuance of prescriptions for chemical medicines and bioproducts in outpatient treatment at health care facilities.

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

This Circular stipulates on:

1. Model prescription for chemical medicines and bioproducts in outpatient treatment at health care facilities.

2. Issuance of prescriptions for chemical medicines and bioproducts in outpatient treatment at health care facilities (hereinafter referred to as issuing prescriptions).

Article 2. Authority to issue prescriptions

Practitioners engaged in medical examination and treatment who have a practice certificate or a license to practice medical examination and treatment with the title of doctor or assistant doctor shall have the authority to issue prescriptions.

Article 3. Model prescription

This Circular hereby promulgates the following model prescriptions:

1. Appendix I: Model prescription.

2. Appendix II: Model prescription "N" (Model prescription for addictive substances).

3. Appendix III: Model prescription "H" (Model prescription for psychotropic substances and precursor substances).

Article 4. Principles for issuing prescriptions

The issuance of prescriptions must comply with the provisions of Articles 62 and 63 of the Medical Examination and Treatment Law 2023 and the following principles:

1. Consistent with one of the following documents:

a) The drug usage guide approved by the Ministry of Health;

b) Diagnosis and treatment guidelines issued or recognized by the Minister of Health or diagnosis and treatment guidelines established by health care facilities in accordance with Clause 6 of Circular No. 21/2013/TT-BYT dated August 8, 2013 of the Minister of Health regarding the organization and operation of the Pharmacy and Treatment Council in hospitals in cases where there are no diagnosis and treatment guidelines from the Ministry of Health;

c) The current National Pharmacopoeia of Vietnam.

2. When a patient consults multiple specialties during a single visit to a health care facility, they may be prescribed one (01) prescription including medication orders from one or more specialties.

Article 5. Cases of issuing prescriptions

1. Issuing prescriptions for patients consulting at health care facilities and patients undergoing outpatient treatment:

a) In cases where patients do not have an outpatient medical record, practitioners shall issue prescriptions in accordance with this Circular;

b) In cases where patients have an outpatient medical record, practitioners shall prescribe treatment into the outpatient medical record while issuing prescriptions for patients ensuring consistency with the medication orders in the outpatient medical record.

2. Issuing prescriptions for patients immediately after completing inpatient treatment:

a) In cases where it is anticipated that patients will need to continue using medication for one (01) to seven (07) days after discharge, practitioners shall prescribe continued treatment and record it in the inpatient medical record while issuing prescriptions for patients ensuring consistency with the medication orders in the inpatient medical record;

b) In cases where it is anticipated that patients will need to continue treatment for more than seven (07) days after discharge, based on the condition of the patient, practitioners shall decide whether to issue outpatient prescriptions or establish an outpatient medical record for treatment or refer the patient to an appropriate health care facility for continued treatment. The number of days each medication is prescribed in the prescription or specified in the outpatient medical record shall comply with Clause 8 of Article 6 of this Circular.

Article 6. General requirements for drug prescription content

1. Record all items in the prescription or patient medical record clearly and accurately.

2. Record personal identification information such as individual identification number, citizen identification card number, identity card number, or passport number of the patient (if available).

3. Record the place of residence of the patient.

4. For children under seventy-two (72) months old, record the age in months and weight of the child; the full name of the person bringing the child to seek medical treatment.

5. Prescribe drugs according to the following regulations:

a) Drugs with one active ingredient

- By the international nonproprietary name (INN, generic);

Example: If the active ingredient is paracetamol with a dose of 500mg, it should be recorded as follows: paracetamol 500mg.

- By the international nonproprietary name plus (trade name).

Example: If the active ingredient is paracetamol with a dose of 500mg and the trade name is A, it should be recorded as follows: paracetamol (A) 500mg.

b) Drugs with multiple active ingredients or medical products shall be recorded by their trade name.

6. Record the drug name, concentration or dosage, quantity or volume, dosage including the amount used each time and the number of times used per day, route of administration, time of use for each type of drug, and the number of days of use. If the prescription includes toxic drugs, they must be recorded before other drugs.

7. Recording the quantity of drugs:

a) In cases where the quantity of drugs is a single digit (less than ten), a zero should be added at the beginning;

b) For addictive drugs, the quantity must be recorded in figures according to the provisions of point a of this clause and then in words.

8. Number of days of drug use in the prescription:

a) Prescription for drug use not exceeding thirty (30) days for each drug, except as provided in point b of this clause and Articles 7, 8, and 9 of this Circular.

b) For diseases listed in the Outpatient Drug Prescription List for more than thirty (30) days attached as Appendix VII of this Circular, the prescriber determines the number of days of drug use based on the clinical condition and stability of the patient, not exceeding ninety (90) days for each drug.

9. In case of need to modify or adjust drugs in the prescription, the prescriber shall issue a new prescription to replace the old one.

Article 7. Prescription of Addictive Drugs

In addition to the general requirements stipulated in Article 6 of this Circular, prescriptions for addictive drugs must meet the following requirements:

1. The "N" prescription form specified in Appendix II of this Circular shall be used for prescribing addictive drugs at healthcare facilities with hospital beds and shall be made in three copies: one copy of the "N" prescription retained at the healthcare facility; one copy of the "N" prescription kept in the patient's medical record; one copy of the "N" prescription (with the stamp of the healthcare facility) retained at the pharmacy supplying the drugs. In cases where the pharmacy supplying the drugs is the same healthcare facility that issued the prescription, the stamp of the healthcare facility is not required.

2. The quantity of addictive drugs prescribed for acute conditions shall not exceed seven (07) days' supply.

3. When prescribing addictive drugs, the prescriber shall guide the patient or the representative of the patient (in cases where the patient cannot visit the healthcare facility or does not have full civil capacity) to write a commitment regarding the use of addictive drugs. The commitment shall be written according to the model specified in Appendix IV of this Circular, and shall be made in two identical copies, one copy retained at the healthcare facility and one copy given to the patient or the representative of the patient.

4. Healthcare facilities must establish a list of sample signatures of prescribers of addictive drugs within the facility and provide it to relevant departments within the healthcare facility for reference.

Article 8. Prescription of Narcotic Drugs for Pain Relief for Cancer Patients

In addition to complying with the general requirements set forth in Article 6 of this Circular, the prescription of narcotic drugs for pain relief for cancer patients must meet the following requirements:

1. When a medical examination facility diagnoses a patient with cancer, it shall prepare an outpatient treatment file for the patient. The prescriber shall guide the patient or the representative of the patient to write a commitment regarding the use of narcotic drugs in accordance with Clause 3 of Article 7 of this Circular. Each prescription for narcotic drugs shall be valid for a maximum of thirty (30) days, and must specify three (03) consecutive treatment cycles on one (01) prescription form, each cycle not exceeding ten (10) days (clearly indicating the start and end dates of each cycle).

2. In cases where narcotic drugs are prescribed for pain relief for cancer patients who are bedridden at home and cannot visit a medical examination and treatment facility:

a) The prescription of narcotic drugs must be carried out by a doctor at a medical examination and treatment facility with inpatient beds.

b) The patient must have a confirmation from the head of the commune health station, ward health station, or special administrative region where the patient resides, confirming the need for continued pain relief treatment with narcotic drugs according to the model specified in Appendix V attached to this Circular (the confirmation is valid for one prescription). This must be accompanied by a summary of the medical record according to the model of the summary of the medical record file as stipulated in Appendix XXIX of Circular No. 32/2023/TT-BYT dated December 31, 2023 issued by the Ministry of Health detailing certain provisions of the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment. In cases where the last medical examination and treatment facility that prescribed the drug does not require a summary of the medical record.

Article 9. Prescription of Psychotropic Drugs and Precursors

In addition to complying with the general requirements set forth in Article 6 of this Circular, the prescription of psychotropic drugs and precursors must meet the following requirements:

1. The "H" prescription form is used to prescribe psychotropic drugs and precursors and consists of three (03) copies: one copy of the "H" prescription form is retained by the medical examination and treatment facility; one copy of the "H" prescription form is kept in the patient's medical record file; one copy of the "H" prescription form is kept at the pharmacy dispensing or selling the drug with the stamp of the medical examination and treatment facility. In cases where the pharmacy dispensing or selling the drug is the same as the medical examination and treatment facility that prescribed the drug, there is no need for the stamp of the medical examination and treatment facility.

2. For acute illnesses, the quantity of drugs prescribed per prescription should be sufficient for no more than ten (10) days of use.

3. For chronic illnesses requiring long-term treatment, the quantity of drugs prescribed should not exceed thirty (30) days of use.

4. For mental illness patients and epilepsy patients:

a) The representative of the patient or the staff member of the commune health station, ward health station, or special administrative region where the patient resides is responsible for collecting the medication and signing their full name in the medication distribution book of the commune health station (according to the model provided by the Ministry of Health for each specialty).

b) The prescriber decides whether the mentally ill patient can collect the medication themselves in each individual case.

Article 10. Electronic Prescription

An electronic prescription established, displayed, digitally signed, shared, and stored electronically must contain all information as prescribed by this Circular and has the same legal effect as a paper prescription.

Article 11. Retention of Prescriptions and Drug Documentation

1. All facilities including medical examination and treatment facilities, pharmacies, retail drug stores must retain all prescriptions and documentation as stipulated in Clause 3 of Article 7, Clause 2 of Article 8, Point b of Clause 6 and Point b of Clause 7 of Article 12 of this Circular in accordance with the regulations on retention of supply, storage, distribution, and use of drugs as stipulated in Circular No. 53/2017/TT-BYT dated December 29, 2017 issued by the Ministry of Health regarding the retention period for health sector professional records.

2. Upon expiration of the retention period for drug documentation, the facility must establish a committee to destroy the documentation in accordance with Circular No. 20/2017/TT-BYT dated May 10, 2017 issued by the Minister of Health detailing certain provisions of the Medicine Law and Decree No. 54/2017/NĐ-CP dated May 8, 2017 of the Government on specially controlled medicines and raw materials (hereinafter referred to as Circular No. 20/2017/TT-BYT). The documentation to be destroyed includes: prescriptions, documentation as stipulated in Clause 3 of Article 7, Clause 2 of Article 8, Point b of Clause 6 and Point b of Clause 7 of Article 12 of this Circular (if applicable).

Article 12. Implementation Organization

1. The Department of Medical Examination and Treatment - Ministry of Health is responsible for:

a) Directing, organizing implementation, inspecting, and evaluating the implementation of this Circular;

b) Leading and coordinating with the Department of Science, Technology and Training, the National Health Information Center, and related units to build, update, and submit to the leadership of the Ministry of Health for issuance and implementation of the regulation on management of the National Prescription and Drug Sales Information System (hereinafter referred to as the National Prescription System); granting management authority to related units and localities;

c) Issuing unique identification codes for medical examination and treatment facilities and practitioners through the National Prescription System.

2. The Department of Medicines - Ministry of Health is responsible for:

Directing and guiding retail drug stores and pharmacists to implement this Circular.

3. The Department of Science, Technology and Training - Ministry of Health is responsible for:

a) Leading the construction, updating, and submission to the leadership of the Ministry of Health for issuance of technical specifications for data structure descriptions and guidance on interconnecting information systems of medical examination and treatment facilities and retail drug stores with the National Prescription System;

b) Leading and coordinating with the National Health Information Center to provide technical guidance and support for the application of information technology solutions for units and localities in implementing this Circular;

4. The National Health Information Center is responsible for:

a) Leading and coordinating with the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment and related units to manage and operate the National Prescription System;

b) Ensuring connectivity between the National Pharmaceutical Database and the National Prescription System;

c) Leading the assurance of information security for the National Pharmaceutical Database and the National Prescription System.

5. Health authorities under provincial people's committees, centrally-administered city people's committees, and health departments of ministries are responsible for:

a) Directing and organizing the implementation of this Circular within their jurisdiction.

b) Inspect, audit, and evaluate the results of the implementation of this Circular within their respective jurisdictions and units;

c) Notify healthcare facilities and relevant agencies on their territory about the list of establishments that issue and sell addictive drugs;

d) Assign identification codes to healthcare facilities and practitioners under their management through the National Prescription System;

đ) In addition to the tasks specified in points a, b, c, and d of this Clause, the specialized health agencies under the People's Committees of provinces and centrally-administered cities shall be responsible for assigning healthcare facilities to supply addictive drugs to communes, wards, and special administrative-economic zones without drug-selling establishments for outpatients' treatment, ensuring convenience for patients. The procurement of drugs shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of the law.

6. Medical examination and treatment facilities shall be responsible for:

a) Implement the provisions of this Circular;

b) Retrieve addictive drugs, psychotropic substances, and precursor chemicals previously issued to patients but not fully used or due to death, and record such actions according to the model prescribed in Appendix VI attached to this Circular (the record is made in two copies: one copy retained at the issuing place, one copy handed over to the person returning the drugs). Retrieved drugs must be securely stored in a secure area to prevent loss and destroyed in accordance with the law.

c) Ensure that the information technology infrastructure meets the technical criteria as stipulated by the Minister of Health;

d) Upload electronic prescriptions to the National Prescription System immediately after completing the outpatient diagnosis and treatment process for patients prescribed drugs as provided for in Article 5 of this Circular;

đ) Send electronic prescriptions or electronic prescription codes to patients or their representatives via electronic means as directed by the Ministry of Health;

e) Implement the storage of prescriptions as prescribed in this Circular and ensure data extraction when necessary.

7. Retail pharmacies have the responsibility to:

a) Implement the provisions of this Circular;

b) Retrieve addictive drugs, psychotropic substances, and precursor chemicals previously sold to patients but not fully used or due to death, record such actions, and handle them in accordance with Circular No. 27/2024/TT-BYT dated November 1, 2024, amending and supplementing certain articles of Circular No. 20/2017/TT-BYT dated May 10, 2017, issued by the Minister of Health detailing certain provisions of the Drug Law and Decree No. 54/2017/NĐ-CP dated May 8, 2017, of the Government regarding special control drugs and raw materials;

c) For drugs not included in the List of Over-the-Counter Drugs published by the Ministry of Health, retail pharmacies may only sell drugs if the buyer has a prescription as prescribed in this Circular;

d) Retail pharmacies selling addictive drugs must sell addictive drugs to patients based on a "N" prescription as prescribed in Articles 7 and 8 of this Circular;

8. Prescribers have the responsibility to:

a) Implement the prescription regulations stipulated in this Circular and bear responsibility for prescriptions issued to patients;

b) Guide the use of drugs, advise dietary and lifestyle regimens for patients or their representatives; instruct patients or their representatives to immediately inform the prescriber or visit the nearest healthcare facility if there are any unusual signs after taking the medication;

c) Prescribers are responsible for advising patients on the best time frame for purchasing medications listed in the prescription;

9. Patients and their representatives have the responsibility to:

a) Implement the provisions of this Circular;

b) Collect medications within a maximum period of five days from the date of issuance of the prescription;

c) If unused or partially used addictive drugs, psychotropic substances, or precursor chemicals are not used, they must be destroyed or returned to the issuing or selling establishment for destruction in accordance with regulations; they may not be sold, given away, or used for other purposes;

Article 13. Effective Date

1. This Circular takes effect from July 1, 2025.

2. The following Circulars become invalid from the date this Circular takes effect, including:

a) Circular No. 52/2017/TT-BYT dated December 29, 2017, issued by the Minister of Health on prescriptions and the prescription of chemical and biological drugs for outpatient treatment;

b) Circular No. 18/2018/TT-BYT dated August 22, 2018, amending and supplementing some articles of Circular No. 52/2017/TT-BYT dated December 29, 2017, on prescriptions and the prescription of chemical and biological drugs for outpatient treatment;

c) Circular No. 04/2022/TT-BYT dated July 12, 2022, amending and supplementing some articles of Circular No. 52/2017/TT-BYT dated December 29, 2017, Circular No. 18/2018/TT-BYT dated August 22, 2018, and Circular No. 27/2021/TT-BYT dated December 20, 2021, issued by the Minister of Health on prescriptions and the prescription of chemical and biological drugs for outpatient treatment and electronic prescription;

d) Circular No. 27/2021/TT-BYT dated December 20, 2021, issued by the Minister of Health on electronic prescription becomes invalid from the date.

3. Implementation timeline for electronic prescription:

a) Healthcare facilities organized as hospitals must implement electronic prescription before October 1, 2025;

b) Other healthcare facilities must implement electronic prescription before January 1, 2026.

Article 14. Cross-referencing Provisions

In case the regulatory legal documents and provisions cited in this Circular are amended, supplemented, or replaced, they shall be implemented according to the new regulatory legal documents.

During the implementation process, if there are difficulties or obstacles, please promptly report to the Ministry of Health (Department of Medical Examination and Treatment) for consideration and resolution./.

 ANNEX I

PRESCRIPTION FORM
(Annexed to Circular No. 26/2025/TT-BYT dated June 30, 2025, issued by the Minister of Health)

_________________________

¹ Prescription code: has a length of 14 characters (including digits and letters) automatically generated according to the following structure: The electronic prescription code format is: xxxxxyyyyyyy-z. The first five (5) x characters represent the medical examination and treatment facility code; The next seven (7) y characters represent the prescription code, each character having a random value of a number from 0-9 or a letter from a-z, ensuring the uniqueness of the prescription at a medical examination and treatment facility; The final z character represents the type of prescription (N: addictive drug prescription, H: psychotropic drug prescription, precursor drug prescription, C: other prescription); a hyphen (-) separates the first twelve characters and the final z character to distinguish between the prescription code and the prescription type.

² Telephone: record the telephone number of the medical examination and treatment facility, department, or prescribing physician.

³ Vietnamese citizens provide personal identification numbers without disclosing gender, date of birth, and permanent residence address information.

⁴ Date of Birth: record the date, month, and year of birth of the patient.

⁵ Weight (must be recorded for children under 72 months old): can weigh the child or ask the person bringing the child for medical examination and treatment.

⁶ Record the health insurance number of the patient.

⁷ Instructions: dietary regimen, work and lifestyle habits, rescheduled appointment (if necessary), optimal time limit for purchasing medication as prescribed (if applicable).

⁸ Contact phone number: the patient's, the person bringing the child for medical examination, or the patient's representative's phone number.

⁹ Name of the person bringing the child for medical examination and treatment (only recorded for children under 72 months old): ask the person bringing the child.

ANNEX II

PRESCRIPTION FORM "N"
(Annexed to Circular No. 26/2025/TT-BYT dated June 30, 2025, issued by the Minister of Health)

_______________________________

^{1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9} Prescription recording guidelines: similar to the Prescription Form Guidelines in Appendix I.

¹⁰ The purchase or collection period for addictive prescriptions should align with the treatment period noted on the prescription. For cancer patients, the second and third periods of addictive medications should be collected one (01) to three (03) days before each treatment period (if the collection day falls on a public holiday, weekend, Saturday, or Sunday, then collect on the nearest working day before or after the holiday).

¹¹ The dispensing entity requires the recipient to present identification or documentation proving their identity.

ANNEX III

PRESCRIPTION FORM "H"
(Annexed to Circular No. 26/2025/TT-BYT dated June 30, 2025, issued by the Minister of Health)

 __________________________

^{1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9} Prescription recording guidelines: similar to the Prescription Form Guidelines in Appendix I.

¹¹ The dispensing entity requires the recipient to present identification or documentation proving their identity.

ANNEX IV

COMMITMENT FORM

Regarding the use of addictive drugs by the patient/patient's representative

(Annexed to Circular No. 26/2025/TT-BYT dated June 30, 2025, issued by the Minister of Health)

COMMITMENT

Regarding the use of addictive drugs by the patient/patient's representative

My name is (full name):...

Personal identification number/citizen identification card number/identification card number/passport number¹: ……………..

Permanent residence address:...

Telephone: ...

As the patient/patient's representative:...

currently undergoing outpatient treatment at:...

I hereby commit to using pain-relieving addictive drugs ……………………

1. Only use the medication as directed.

2. Only collect prescriptions during scheduled appointments or follow-up visits due to increased pain at the hospital. Do not accept additional prescriptions for pain-relieving addictive drugs and do not seek medication from any other source.

3. Return any unused medication to the dispensing entity.

4. Do not sell, give away, or use the medication for any other purpose.

5. I fully accept legal responsibility if I violate the regulations regarding the use of addictive drugs.

__________________________

¹ Vietnamese citizens providing personal identification numbers do not need to disclose permanent residence address information.

ANNEX V

APPLICATION FORM

Confirmation that the patient needs continued pain relief treatment with addictive drugs

(Annexed to Circular No. 26/2025/TT-BYT dated June 30, 2025, issued by the Minister of Health)

SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIET NAM
Independence - Freedom - Happiness
---------------

..., day ..., month ..., year 2...

PETITION FOR APPLICATION

Confirmation that the patient needs continued pain relief treatment with addictive drugs

My name is (full name):...

Personal identification number/citizen identification card number/identification card number/passport number¹:………………

Permanent residence address: ...

As the patient/patient's representative:...

Hospital treating the patient with addictive drugs for pain relief (name and address of the hospital):...

I am submitting this application requesting the Health Station Director of the commune/ward/special administrative region to confirm that I/my family member needs continued pain relief treatment with addictive drugs.

Enterprise (in capital letters): ...

Patient requiring continued pain relief treatment with addictive drugs

- Based on the application of the patient/patient's representative:...

- Personal identification number/citizen identification card number/passport number: ...

- Permanent residence address: ...

- I: ...

- Position: Director of the Health Station of the commune/ward/special administrative region ..., province/city...

- Confirming the patient:...Age:...

needs to continue receiving pain relief treatment with addictive drugs...

 

__________________________

¹ Vietnamese citizens providing personal identification numbers do not need to disclose permanent residence address information.

 

ANNEX VI

RECORD OF RETURN
ADDICTIVE DRUGS, PSYCHOTROPIC DRUGS, AND PRECURSOR DRUGSRECORD OF RETURN OF ADDICTIVE DRUGS, PSYCHOTROPIC DRUGS, AND PRECURSOR DRUGS SUBMITTED BY THE PATIENT/PATIENT'S REPRESENTATIVE
(Annexed to Circular No. 26/2025/TT-BYT dated June 30, 2025, issued by the Minister of Health)

SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIET NAM
Independence - Freedom - Happiness
---------------

RECORD

1. Name of the person returning the drugs: …

- Personal identification number/citizen identification card number/identification card number/passport number

- Permanent residence address: ...

Issuing authority: …Date of issue: …¹: …………

- Is the patient □         Is the patient's representative □

returning the drugs due to the patient not using them or passing away as follows:

Drug name, dosage form, concentration/dose, packaging specifications

3. Time of handover: The above drugs were handed over/received at...hours...minutes on...day...month...year

4. Handover location (detailed actual handover address):…

This record is agreed upon and established in two copies, each party retains one copy.

..., day ..., month ..., year ....

 

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¹ Record sensory quality including: color of tablets or solution, clarity of solution, packaging, label.

² ANNEX VII

LIST OF DISEASES AND GROUPS OF DISEASES APPLYING FOR

OUTPATIENT PRESCRIPTIONS OVER THIRTY (30) DAYS

Code
(Annexed to Circular No. 26/2025/TT-BYT dated June 30, 2025, issued by the Minister of Health)