Photo for illustration. Source: thuvien-ebook.com

Vietnam had made ensuring the regulations and standards for traditional medicines and health supplements matched those of the region and beyond a priority, Health Minister Nguyen Quoc Trieu said on July 29.

And Vietnam, with a 86 million-strong population, was making a remarkable contribution to ASEAN's foodstuff and pharmacy industries, he told a meeting in Hanoi to discuss measures to harmonise the regulations for traditional medicines and health supplements within the association.

The introduction of numerous traditional medicines and health supplements to Vietnam had helped diversify the regional market, he said.

The minister also called on ASEAN countries to invest in the industries as well as cooperate with Vietnam to help Vietnamese gain access to high-quality products at reasonable prices.

About 180 representatives of ministries and agencies as well as organisations from throughout the region are attending the two-day meeting which opened on July 29.

The meeting, the 13th of its type, provides a chance for participants to know more about the development of their industries and management methods in member countries.

They will also discuss enhanced coordination to help each take advantage of the region's potential.

The requirements for the technical harmonisation and labelling of traditional medicines and health supplements as well as a road map to a legal framework are on their agenda.

Preparations for the discussions were made at specialised meetings in Hanoi three days earlier.

Source: VNA