HCM City fines pharmacies for selling prescription drugs without doctors' orders amid resistance concerns

HCM City fined multiple pharmacies for selling prescription medicines without a doctor’s order as authorities intensify efforts to curb antibiotic misuse and slow antimicrobial resistance. The city’s Department of Health announced sanctions following earlier regulatory tightening that doubled penalties for illegal sales and entered into force in May under new rules. In Tân Sơn Hòa Ward, a Pharmacity branch was fined VNĐ30 million (US$1,136) for selling prescription drugs without a prescription; Phú Châu Pharmacy in Tân Hưng Ward received VNĐ17.5 million for the same violation. Inspectors issued the largest penalty, VNĐ39 million, against Hải Châu Pharmacy in Hiệp Bình Ward for multiple breaches, including failure to isolate expired or recalled medicines properly and not operating with a designated professional supervisor. The department cited the WHO estimate that nearly 300,000 deaths in Việt Nam between 2020 and were linked to antimicrobial resistance.