Vietnam Medication Access Programs Market Analysis

Vietnam Medication Access Programs Market Executive Summary

The Vietnam Medication Access Programs Market was valued at $27.4 Mn in 2023 and is predicted to grow at a CAGR of 14.83% from 2023 to 2030, to $72.3 Mn by 2030.

Patient Support Programs (PSPs) are initiatives organized by pharmaceutical companies to enhance access, usage, and adherence to prescription drugs. These programs encompass financial assistance, clinical support, educational efforts, or a blend of these elements. A Medication Access Program (MAP) is a part of PSP that serves as a crucial connection between patients and the medications they need. Managed Access Programs are initiatives that enable patients with serious or life-threatening illnesses to obtain investigational medicines or treatments not yet commercially available. These programs aim to provide early access to therapies for patients who have exhausted all other options and are ineligible for clinical trials. Offered by pharmaceutical companies, MAPs help patients overcome financial barriers to access essential medications. A centralized, pharmacy-driven MAP can enhance patient outcomes, reduce unnecessary healthcare costs, improve patient and provider satisfaction, streamline patient flow, and boost revenue through increased prescription capture.

A study in southern Vietnam revealed that 13.1% of HIV/AIDS patients showed poor adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART). Novartis, together with the Ministry of Health and Vietnam Social Security, has supported approximately 8,000 patients with Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) and Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST) by providing access to high-quality medications. The market is driven by significant factors like public-private partnerships, government support, and increasing disease burden. However, regulatory challenges, infrastructure and logistics, and awareness and education restrict the growth and potential of the market.

Prominent players in this field include Takeda Pharmaceuticals which provides Access to Medicine Program. Pfizer, Novartis, Merck, and AstraZeneca among others are some of the pharmaceutical companies providing patient support programs and are potential players for the Medication Access Program in Vietnam.

Market Dynamics

Market Growth Drivers

Public-Private Partnerships: Public-private partnerships involving Novartis, the Ministry of Health, and Vietnam Social Security have provided high-quality medications like imatinib and nilotinib to 8,000 patients with Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) and Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST) through initiatives such as the Global Imatinib Patient Access Program (GIPAP) and Vietnam Patient Access Program (VPAP), at no cost. This collaboration drives the medication access program market in Vietnam by demonstrating effective models that improve patient access to essential treatments and encourage further program expansion.

Government Support: Government initiatives in Vietnam aimed at improving healthcare access, including medications, drive pharmaceutical companies to invest in access programs, serving as a key market driver.

Increasing Disease Burden: High rates of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, hypertension, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, contribute significantly to mortality (72%) and disease burden (66%) in Vietnam. This health profile drives the medication access program market by increasing the demand for effective treatments and encouraging pharmaceutical investment in access initiatives.

Market Restraints

Regulatory Challenges: Complex regulatory processes and approval requirements in Vietnam can delay the rollout of new medications and access programs, affecting their timely availability and implementation in the market.

Infrastructure and Logistics: Challenges in healthcare infrastructure, distribution networks, and logistics can hinder the efficient delivery of medications to remote and rural areas in Vietnam, restricting the reach and effectiveness of medication access programs.

Awareness and Education: Low awareness among patients and healthcare providers about access programs' availability and benefits may limit their use and impact in Vietnam's medication access market.

Regulatory Landscape and Reimbursement Scenario

Vietnam's Ministry of Health (MoH) serves as the national regulatory authority for healthcare. The Drug Administration of Vietnam (DAV), under the MoH, oversees the drug approval process in the country. According to Decree 54/2017/ND-CP, Article 68, drugs needed for specialized treatments based on hospital demand can be imported, even without local marketing authorization. The DAV processes import licenses within 60 working days.

Under Vietnam's social health insurance scheme, medications listed on the National Reimbursement Drug List (NRDL) receive partial coverage. Some private health insurance plans may offer additional coverage for medications, potentially including those not on the NRDL, although this coverage is not widespread and may have limitations.

Competitive Landscape

Key Players

Here are some of the major key players in the Vietnam Medication Access Programs Market:

• Takeda Pharmaceuticals
• Pfizer
• Novartis
• Merck
• AstraZeneca
• Bristol-Myers Squibb
• Sanofi
• Eli Lilly
• AbbVie
• Roche