Decision No. 49/2008/QD-BYT on the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Department of Traditional Medicine under the Ministry of Health

 Pursuant to …;

Regulations on the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Department of Traditional Medicine under the Ministry of Health

THE MINISTER OF HEALTH

Pursuant to Decree No. 178/2007/NĐ-CP dated November 3, 2007 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of Ministries and ministerial-level agencies;

Pursuant to Decree No. 188/2007/NĐ-CP dated December 27, 2007 of the Government on the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Health;

Considering the proposal of the Director of the Personnel Department and the Director of the Department of Traditional Medicine, Ministry of Health.

DECISION:

Article 1. Position and Functions

The Department of Traditional Medicine is a specialized department under the Ministry of Health with the function of assisting the Minister in state management of the work of inheriting, preserving, developing traditional medicine; combining traditional medicine with modern medicine throughout the country.

Article 2. Tasks and Powers

1. To take the lead in formulating mechanisms, policies, strategies, plans, and programs for the work of inheriting, preserving, promoting, and developing traditional medicine, and combining traditional medicine with modern medicine, and submit them to competent authorities for approval.

2. To take the lead or participate in formulating, revising, and supplementing legal normative documents, technical classification regulations, professional rules, national technical standards in the field of traditional medicine, and submit them to competent authorities for issuance.

3. To direct, guide, inspect, and urge units and localities in implementing policies, strategies, plans, legal normative documents, professional rules, and national technical standards in the field of traditional medicine.

4. To be responsible for compiling lists of medicinal herbs, traditional medicines, and medicines derived from medicinal herbs in the list of essential drugs and the list of essential medicines; to participate in compiling lists of special medical equipment in traditional medicine facilities.

5. To be responsible for reviewing production processes and pharmacological effects of medicinal herbs, traditional medicines, and medicines derived from medicinal herbs to provide the Ministry of Health with grounds for registering for production or import/export.

6. To take the lead and coordinate with the Drug Administration to determine needs and develop proposals for developing medicinal herbs; to direct and guide the organization of supply and use of medicinal herbs, traditional medicines, and medicines derived from medicinal herbs to ensure quality in traditional medicine healthcare facilities.

7. To take the lead and coordinate with relevant units to formulate, revise, and supplement legal normative documents on practicing traditional medicine, and submit them to competent authorities for issuance; to be responsible for receiving applications, organizing reviews, and submitting to the Minister for issuing, suspending, or revoking practice certificates and certificates of eligibility for practicing traditional medicine according to the law.

8. To participate with the Science and Training Department and the Drug Administration in formulating and submitting to the Minister for promulgation regulations on clinical trials of traditional medicines and medicines derived from medicinal herbs, and organize guidance on conducting clinical trials of these medicines.

9. To advise the Minister on reviewing and supervising the content of advertising related to traditional medicine.

10. To participate in building the organizational system for managing traditional medicine and networks of traditional medicine healthcare facilities from central to grassroots levels.

11. To participate with relevant units in compiling training needs, developing training plans, programs, and contents for continuous training of traditional medicine personnel including traditional doctors and traditional pharmacists; to participate in reviewing standards and conditions for establishing training institutions in traditional medicine.

12. To manage, monitor, inspect, and evaluate the professional activities of traditional medicine facilities including both public and non-public facilities nationwide.

13. To coordinate with the Inspectorate of the Ministry and relevant units to conduct inspections of organizations and individuals in the implementation of laws and regulations in the field of traditional medicine.

14. To carry out scientific research activities, international cooperation, and programs/projects in the field of traditional medicine.

15. To participate with relevant units to assist the Minister in performing state management functions over professional associations operating in the field of traditional medicine.

16. To perform other tasks assigned by the Minister of Health.

Article 3. Organizational Structure

1. Leadership of the Department

The Director and Deputy Directors of the Department are appointed and relieved of their positions by the Minister of Health. The Director is responsible before the Minister of Health and the law for all activities of the Department. The Deputy Directors assist the Director and are responsible before the Director and the law for the tasks assigned to them.

2. Quota

The staffing of the Department is determined by the Decision of the Minister of Health and adjusted annually based on work requirements and the proposal of the Director.

3. Operation Mechanism

The Department of Traditional Medicine operates under a specialist system. Civil servants in the Department are responsible before the Department's leadership for the tasks assigned to them.

Article 4. Effective date

This Decision shall take effect fifteen days after its publication in the Official Gazette.

Article 5. Responsibilities for Implementation

Mr./Mrs.: Director of the Ministry’s Office, Director of the Ministry’s Inspectorate, Heads of Departments, General Directors of the Ministry of Health, Heads of agencies, organizations, and individuals concerned are responsible for implementing this Decision./.