2 companies get import ban, fines for selling unqualified drugs
The Drug Administration of Vietnam said on April 16 it has imposed a two-year ban on medicine imports of two foreign companies that were found to sell unqualified medicines and pharmaceutical materials with unclear origins.
Hong Kong-based Austin Pharma Specialties and China-based CSPC Innovation Pharmaceutical were ordered to submit US$30,625 and US$29,750, respectively, that they had earned from the illegal sales.
They also had to pay VND160 million (US$7,300) each in fines, according to the agency under the Ministry of Health.
The materials in question were used to produce omeprazole and pantoprazole, both "proton pump inhibitors" (PPIs), which are commonly used to treat acid reflux and ulcers of stomach.