The Ministry of Finance in Vietnam is currently seeking public input on a draft circular intended to amend and supplement Circular No. 23/2021/TT-BTC, which governs the printing, issuance, management, and utilization of electronic stamps for alcohol and tobacco products. This revision aims to enhance the regulatory framework surrounding electronic stamps, a critical element for ensuring compliance and transparency within these sectors.
The new draft includes essential changes to the reporting requirements regarding the usage of electronic stamps. Enterprises and organizations that procure these electronic stamps will now be required to submit detailed data about their utilization. This includes the total number of stamps affixed, the number of successfully affixed stamps, the count of damaged stamps, the stamp names, sample codes, tax codes, manufacturing dates, importing units, and product types.
According to the proposed regulations, companies must send this information to the customs electronic data processing system using Form No. 12/TEM, as laid out in Appendix 6 of the amended circular. The deadline for submitting this information has been set within five days after completing the affixing of electronic stamps, especially regarding imported alcohol, or before any tobacco product is put onto the market.
Should errors or omissions occur in the submitted data, it is imperative for customs declarants to replace the affected tables with corrected versions within the stipulated timeframe. The Customs Department will then recognize these corrections to ensure all information complies with regulations, thus reinforcing the integrity of the stamping process.
In cases where electronic stamps are damaged, the Customs Department's system will mark these stamps as invalid to prevent their subsequent use. Furthermore, if the electronic data processing system encounters any operational issues post-stamping, businesses must prepare a report about their electronic stamp usage and submit it to the appropriate Customs Branch. Once the system is back in operation, they must re-declare and submit the required information.
Moreover, the draft circular outlines modifications regarding how users can check information about electronic stamps affixed to tobacco and alcohol products. Consumers or related agencies wishing to verify the information can simply scan the QR code or access the Customs Department's electronic information portal at customs.gov.vn. The data retrievable includes important details such as the stamp serial number, name, sample code, manufacturing unit, product name, and various other relevant identifiers.
Reflecting the ongoing digital transformation within Vietnam's healthcare sector, Dr. Do Xuan Tuyen, the Deputy Minister of Health, emphasized the importance of integrating advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and big data into the drug registration process. Addressing a recent meeting, he expressed that such advancements are essential for improving efficiency in how drug applications are processed.
Since July 2023, all drug registration procedures have transitioned to an online platform, eliminating the outdated practice of submitting paper dossiers at one-stop departments. In the first eleven months of 2024, the Drug Administration of Vietnam has reported the issuance of over 12,300 drug approvals—almost matching the total for the previous five years combined.
Dr. Tuyen pointed out the challenges associated with this transition, notably the increasing number of applications, which has not been matched by sufficient staffing resources. The complexities of the drug registration processes necessitate a thorough approach to manage the growing workload effectively. Moreover, he noted the significance of harnessing AI and cloud computing to further enhance the efficacy of drug management.
To address these challenges, the Ministry of Health plans to continue enhancing its systems, particularly as they prepare for the upcoming Law on Pharmaceuticals revisions, effective July 1, 2025. This law is anticipated to facilitate more automated processes within the drug registration framework, ensuring that businesses can engage in registration renewals seamlessly.
Dr. Tuyen indicated future plans to incorporate AI into the review of drug registration dossiers, aiming to eliminate manual processes and reduce wait times for businesses. By implementing interactive tools like chatbots, enterprises will be able to access quick responses to their queries regarding registration procedures.
Through these strategic initiatives, the Ministry of Health aims to streamline its operations while also enhancing the capacity for drug approvals in Vietnam. The health sector's commitment to adopting modern technologies reflects a broader intention to improve public health outcomes and adapt to the necessities of the digital era.
As Vietnam pushes towards a more robust digital infrastructure, both the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Health are taking significant steps to adapt to new technologies, ensuring better management of vital resources like electronic stamps for alcohol and tobacco, as well as drug registrations, paving the way for more effective public health management.
