The Ministry of Health (MoH) and the representative office of Merck Export GMBH in Viet Nam on July 23 signed a MoU agreement on establishing a partnership for a programme to increase pharmacists’competencies in clinical pharmacy for non-communicable diseases.

The national programme on enhancing pharmacy practices at health facilities is expected to optimise the use of drugs and improve efficiency, safety, and costs.

It is expected to be implemented over two consecutive years. The first year will focus on the development of practice guidelines, while the following year will be devoted to emulation, supervision, and training support.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, general director of the Medical Service Administration under MoH, Prof Luong Ngoc Khue, said the MoH had recognized the important role of clinical pharmacy.“We hope this project will improve the quality of treatment and the health of all Vietnamese,” he said.

At this event, a project called “Thyroid Change Campaign- For the Women we Love” was officially launched by the National Hospital of Endocrinology in partnership with the Merck Family Foundation.

The project is expected to benefit 50,000 women and children at risk of thyroid disease.

Javed Alam, managing director of Merck Viet Nam, said “We realise there are still many patients with thyroid disease undetected. This project will improve that. The patients will be screened early so they can have better treatment and enjoy a better life.”

The project will provide free screening for thyroid disease for 15 hospitals nationwide with about 50,000 screenings under the supervision and management of Merk Export GnbH Viet Nam’s representative office.

It will run from the beginning of August and be divided into three main phases, including raising people’s awareness through a video in the first phase, providing free check-ups at 15 hospitals across Viet Nam in the second phase, and building a forum for thyroid patients to share their illness and get advice from doctors.

This is part of the the 350th anniversary celebration of the founding of the Merck Pharmaceutical Company. — VNS