AstraZeneca Vietnam signed an agreement on distributing pharmaceutical products with the National Phytopharma Joint-Stock Company No 2 on July 11 in HCM City. — VNS Photo

HCM CITY — Pharmaceutical AstraZeneca Vietnam on Saturday signed an agreement with the National Phytopharma Joint-Stock Company No 2 (Phytopharma) on distributing their pharmaceutical products in the Vietnamese market in HCM City.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Deputy Minister of Health Trần Văn Thuấn said the agreement is the first agreement between a domestic pharmaceutical distribution company and a multinational pharmaceutical company.

“It is expected to bring safe and high-quality pharmaceutical products with reasonable prices, and enable locals to improve access to the most innovative medicines,” he said.

Nitin Kapoor, AstraZeneca Vietnam President, said: “AstraZeneca is proud to have accompanied the development of Viet Nam’s healthcare sector for more than 25 years.”

An MoU on strengthening medical knowledge and improving capacity in clinical trials was also signed between the company and the HCM City University of Medicine and Pharmacy.

The company also signed an MoU with the British Government on a programme promoting renewable energy development, especially solar energy, at healthcare facilities.

AstraZeneca has been present in Viet Nam since 1994. It plans to invest VNĐ5 trillion (US$220 million) in the country in 2020-24 period.

It has worked with the Government on the national strategy for prevention of non-communicable diseases and has invested tens of millions of dollars in R&D in the country.

Representatives of the city’s People's Committee and Department of Health, the British Consul General in HCM City, and other agencies attended the event.

The company received a merit of certification from the Ministry of Health for its outstanding contributions to the national fight against COVID-19 at the ceremony. — VNS