Medicine Smuggling in Vietnam: Challenges, Impacts, and Policy Recommendations

Abstract

Medicine smuggling poses significant challenges to Vietnam's economic stability, public health, and legal systems. This crime, committed by individuals and commercial entities, undermines pharmaceutical markets and exposes the general public to substandard and potentially dangerous medicines. This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of medicine smuggling in Vietnam, beginning with a conceptual overview, including its definition, key characteristics, and constituent elements. It examines the current state of medicine smuggling, highlighting criminal penalties and enforcement mechanisms under Vietnamese law. Through discussing specific criminal cases, the paper illustrates the apparent discrepancies between legal provisions and their practical enforcement, emphasizing gaps that complicate the effectiveness of combating this crime. An analysis of the root causes, ranging from economic incentives and regulatory weaknesses to cross-border trade complexities, further underscores the systemic issues that fuel smuggling activities. The study concludes with actionable policy recommendations to strengthen legal frameworks, enhance interagency collaboration, improve border control mechanisms, and raise public awareness. These measures are proposed as critical steps toward mitigating the impacts of medicine smuggling on Vietnam’s economy, healthcare system, and overall societal well-being.