Proposal to Authorize Healthcare Facilities for Direct Medical Equipment Price Negotiation

During a legislative draft meeting, the Ministry of Health proposed that healthcare facilities and investors be able to directly negotiate prices with manufacturers and carry out imports in medical equipment supply processes.

Legislative Draft and High-Level Meeting

Co-chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra and National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Thanh, the meeting discussed the draft proposing amendments to various laws. While Health Minister Dao Hong Lan provided briefings on the draft, it was stated that the Medical Equipment Law draft is expected to be submitted to the National Assembly in October 2027.

Transparency and Database Objective

Reviewing the regulations on the distribution of pharmaceuticals and medical equipment, the Ministry of Health aims to increase transparency in pricing. While inter-institutional coordination is being ensured to reduce distribution channels and limit intermediary stages, it is also proposed to establish a synchronized database where all information will be centrally updated.

Direct Negotiation and Import Conditions

Within the scope of the proposed regulation, investors and health centers will be able to directly negotiate prices with manufacturers or owners. For this process to be valid, it is stipulated that the parties must agree on a plan and fully provide after-sales service, maintenance, and repair requirements.

Reform in Bidding and Ordering Mechanisms

Evaluating at the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra stated that pricing and transparency in medical equipment must be directly linked to traceability requirements. Furthermore, the need to carry out fundamental reforms in bidding and ordering mechanisms was underlined.