On March 4, 2023, the Government issued Resolution No. 30/NQ-CP on the solutions to ensure medicines and medical equipment ("Resolution 30"), supplementing and clarifying Resolution No. 144/NQ-CP ("Resolution 144") issued on November 5, 2022. Resolution 30 contributes to resolve difficulties in the procurement of medicines and medical equipment within the Vietnamese health system.
The main contents of Resolution 30 are as follows:
1. No restriction on the time of purchase and the duration of using equipment for medical examination and treatment services covered by the health insurance fund
Previously, Resolution 144 only allowed payment of medical examination and treatment services covered by the health insurance fund in case of technical services using equipment provided by contractors after winning the bid for medical materials and chemicals prior to November 5, 2022 with the implementation period follows the contract signed before November 5, 2022; or no more than 12 months from November 5, 2022.
Recently, Resolution 30 has been issued, which allows payment for services using equipment provided by contractors who win the bid for medical materials and chemicals both before and after November 5, 2022 without restriction on implementation period. Accordingly, if the contract is signed after November 5, 2022, the payment of medical examination and treatment services covered by the health insurance fund incurred in the above mentioned case will be maintained until a new legislation regulating this issue is introduced. In case the aforementioned durations have expired, payment shall continue until the purchased medical materials and chemicals are used up.
2. Allow healthcare facilities to use donated or sponsored medical equipment for medical examination and treatment; and the costs of technical services using this equipment shall be covered by the Health Insurance Fund
Resolution 30 stipulates that healthcare facilities are allowed to use medical equipment that has been donated, given, contributed, sponsored or funded by domestic or foreign individuals and organizations (including medical equipment which has derive from expired joint-venture or affiliated contracts) but have not completed the procedures for establishing public ownership for medical examination and treatment. Technical services using this medical equipment shall be covered by the Health Insurance Fund.
3. Allow healthcare facilities to apply guidance about bidding package price in 2023 on trial
According to Resolution 30, the determination of the bidding package price is based on one of the following documents:
a. Market prices referenced price quotation from suppliers by one of the following methods:
- Distributors’ quotation which based on the notices of price offering invitation with technical requirements on the Portal of the Ministry of Health; or the online public service portal on medical equipment management (https://dmec.moh.gov.vn); or the website of the entities; or other forms in accordance with the law on bidding.
- Quotation is taken directly from the distributor in case there is only one distributor or cannot be purchased from another distributor to ensure technology and copyright compatibility.
b. Results of price appraisal conducted by competent authorities or by price appraisal enterprises;
c. The winning bid price of the same type of medical equipment bidding package in the nearest previous of time but no more than 120 days.
Resolution 30 takes effect from the date of issuance.
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