The Hanoi Department of Health has asked pharmaceutical establishments in Hanoi to ensure the supply of medicines in the upcoming Lunar New Year (Tet holiday) to ensure good healthcare during the biggest holiday.

The supply of medicines should not only meet the needs of Covid-19 patients but also those suffering from common winter and spring diseases, such as dengue, influenza A, measles, rubella, diarrhea caused by rotavirus, respiratory and digestive diseases.  

The city's health department required district health divisions, drug producers and importers, and relevant units to ensure drug quality and reasonable prices and strive to avoid price hikes.

In addition, hospitals and the Hanoi Center for Disease Control are tasked with drawing up their own plans for stocking up on medicines and ensuring sufficient supply in accordance with the Ministry of Health's guidelines amid the evolving Covid-19 pandemic.

A woman is waiting for drugs in a medicine store in Hanoi. Photo: The Hanoi Times

The local authorities will improve supervision of manufacturing and trade to detect fake and substandard drugs and those not allowed to circulate in the market.

Pharmaceutical manufacturers, importers, traders, and drugstores are asked to improve drug supply sources and develop plans to meet the population's demand for medical examinations and treatment.

In addition, the department urged pharmacies to stay open and health departments in localities to assign officials on duty around the clock during the Tet vacation to closely monitor the situation and ensure the supply of medicines.

Functional units should submit their drug plan to the Hanoi Health Department by December 20 to improve coordination and be announced in the media.

Hanoi has asked its agencies to create the best conditions for locals to welcome Tet holiday 2023 in the city.

Accordingly, local authorities will pay attention to taking care of the lives of local residents, especially individuals and families having merits to the nation, poor households, and families affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, state agencies should obey the regulations to hold traditional year-end holiday activities, New Year gatherings, and the New Year tree planting campaign in a safe and economical manner.

Relevant units have to implement strict inspection and supervision to ensure food safety, environmental sanitation, disease prevention and control, especially Covid-19, influenza, dengue fever, mpox.

Market management needs to be enhanced for stabilizing prices and ensuring the balance between supply and demand of goods, petroleum and essential commodities.

Competent authorities should promptly detect and strictly handle all acts of trade fraud, production and trade of counterfeit goods, shoddy goods, speculation, hoarding and price pressure on goods; ensure safety, social order and cyber security in the capital so that people can enjoy the holidays.