Boosting Trade Promotion for Vietnamese Drug Makers

<div align="justify">The Ministry of Health hosted a symposium on the development of the pharmaceutical industry and measures to stabilise Vietnams medicine market in Hanoi on July 15, 2008. At the seminar, the ministry signed an agreement with the Ministry of Trade and Industry concerning production promotion, circulation and sales of pharmaceutical products. One of the biggest trade promotion programmes for the pharmaceutical industry will be the annual Vietnam International Exhibition on Products, Equipment, Supplies for Pharmaceutical, Medical and Rehabilitation (Pharmed & Healthcare Vietnam). The third one is going to take place in Ho Chi Minh City.</div> <div align="justify"> </div> <div align="justify">Dr. Tran Duc Long, Deputy Director of Legal Department under the Ministry of Health, said: The third annual exhibition is set to open on from September 10 to 13, 2008 in Ho Chi Minh City. This is event is one of the top concerns of the Ministry of Health. Through the exhibition, specialists, enterprises and medical units in the country can explore and apply advanced technologies from developed nations to enhance production capacity, develop business, expand cooperation, and better healthcare service quality. Major exhibits this year are pharmaceuticals, machines, packing equipment, scanning devices, diagnostic imaging devices, dental equipment, obstetrical equipment, ophthalmologic equipment, hospital equipment and other apparatuses, added Dr. Long.</div> <div align="justify"> </div> <div align="justify">In 2007, as many as 35,000 people visited the four-day exhibition, including 76 percent working in the health industry like professors, doctors, pharmacists, medical equipment engineers, pharmaceutical and medical equipment enterprises, and foreign consulates general and organisations. Many new products and devices were directly introduced to consumers. Many business deals were signed by concerned enterprises, with value up to US$50 million.</div> <div align="justify"> </div> <div align="justify">This year, the exhibition has 300 booths displaying products and services of 200 Vietnamese and international enterprises, including regular exhibitors like DHG Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company, Ben Tre Pharmaceuticals Company, Sao Kim Co. Ltd, Phuong Dong Medical Equipment Company, Viet Tien company, Chinh Quang Trading Company, Dai Chinh Quang Machinery and Equipment Company, Hung Duong Trading Company, Kien Cuong Technology Company, Anh Son Company, Dynex Company, Minh Phuong Medical Equipment Company, and Doan Gia Co. Ltd. Besides, many international companies from more than 20 countries and territories, especially from China, India and Pakistan, also registered to showcase at the exhibition.</div> <div align="justify"> </div> <div align="justify">Mr Dang Quoc Viet, Director of Central Health Education Centre, said: The Pharmed & Healthcare exhibition covers all aspects of the health industry, not only for local and international pharmaceutical and medical equipment enterprises but also for health authorities, researchers, publishers and clinics. Organised by the Vietnam Advertisement & Fair Exhibition Joint Stock Company, the exhibition is expected to generate the best results for exhibitors thus, contributing to the construction and development of the Vietnamese health industry. </div> <div align="justify"> </div> <div align="justify"><strong>Huong  Ly</strong></div>