U.S. Supports Safe Medicines Exhibition at the Vietnam National Library

HANOI, January 5, 2012 –U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam David B. Shear this morning cut the ribbon on an exhibition at the Vietnam National Library promoting safe medicines. Titled “Using Safe, Rational and Effective Medicine,” its aim is to raise awareness among the medical community and general public about the dangers of counterfeit and sub-standard pharmaceutical products that can turn a treatable disease into a fatal one. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism Director General Nguyen Van Tinh said, “medicine is playing a growing role in the protection of human health, however not everyone knows how to use medicine safely and effectively.”

The U.S. Embassy contributed $5,000 to fund the exhibition, as part of its cooperation with Vietnam to strengthen health systems and encourage the use of safe medicines. “This important event will help achieve our shared goal of helping consumers and medical professionals identify and avoid counterfeit drugs,” said Ambassador Shear at the opening ceremony.

The United States is also providing $6,000 to fund a project with Vietnam’s National Institute of Drug Quality Control for the creation of a website and posters promoting safe medicines. The website, www.thuocantoan.com.vn, is already live and the public awareness posters will be distributed to the Institute’s many local branches across Vietnam in February. The exhibition will run from January 5-12 and is free and open to the public.