Vietnam Ministry of Health proposes ban on livestreaming drug sales

The Vietnamese Ministry of Health is seeking public opinion on a draft law to amend several regulations within the healthcare sector. A key proposal includes a ban on using livestreaming functions to sell medicines and medicinal ingredients via e-commerce.

Under the proposed amendments to Clause 19, Article 6 of the Law on Pharmacy, online pharmaceutical business would be prohibited if it is not conducted through direct or intermediary e-commerce platforms, uses livestreaming for sales, or fails to ensure electronic identification of sellers and transaction traceability.

If approved, these regulations aim to strengthen the legal framework for controlling online medicine sales, particularly on channels where seller identities and product origins are difficult to verify. Existing regulations already prohibit the retail sale of prescription drugs and specially controlled medicines through e-commerce starting July 1, 2025, with certain exceptions.