Locals tend to a herbal medicine farm in the northern province of Ha Giang. (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNS/VNA) – The
remained largely untapped despite Vietnam’s many , said industry
experts and policymakers.
According to Prof Pham Vu Khanh, former head of the traditional medicine
department under the Ministry of Health, close to a third of all flora in the
country or 4,000 plant species could be used for medicine yet the country still
had to import as much as 50,000 tonnes of every year (80-85 per
cent of medicinal herbs used).
For example, 300-400 tonnes of herbs were imported through the Chi Ma
International Border Gate in the northern province of Lang Son alone. Imported
herbs typically fell under two categories: natural-grown and
agriculture-cultivated with the majority being the latter.
Cultivated herbs were often affordable but varying in quality and in many
instances, neither safe nor suitable for use in medicine production.
Dr Phan Thuy Hien, deputy head of the National Institute of Medical Substances,
said the underlying causes of Vietnamese medicinal herbs losing on home turf
were lack of economies of scale, poor transport infrastructure and labour-intensive
production methods, which all contributed to high prices compared to
competitors.
Except for a handful number of cooperatives that have successfully implemented
working production models, the vast majority of production centres were small
in size and lack both the ability and the will to employ rigid quality control.
Furthermore, it’s often difficult for local communities to connect with
pharmaceutical companies and vice versa.
The Red River Delta traditionally has been a major production centre of
medicinal herbs with the Central Highlands in recent years catching up quickly
thanks to its suitable soil and experienced farmers.
According to Prof Le Van Truyen, a former health deputy minister, there was a
long documented history of traditional medicine in the country. Along with
modern medicine, herbal medicine has been playing an important part in the
health sector.
also serves another purpose which is bolstering patients’
health foundation on top of providing key nutrients, according to Prof Tran Van
On, head of the flora study department of the Hanoi University of Pharmacy.
On said it required a concrete and well-coordinated effort by multiple
ministries and agencies to help develop the industry.
“We have many policies and lofty objectives yet too few protocols for real
studies and practices,” he said.
“Even now we still do not have an official long-term development plan for
the industry,” he added.
On said it’s difficult to produce medicinal herbs, even those that are native
and strong in Vietnam if the country continued to rely on imports.
He urged the central government to start the establishment of a supply chain
and the implementation of support policies for domestic-grown products. In
addition, the Ministry of Health must step up efforts to filter out low-quality
herbs and those of dubious origin and invest more in upgrades to traditional
medicine centres across the country./.
Source: VietnamPlus
