Vietnam’s health officials have allowed a
resumption of salbutamol import into the country after the drug, which is often
used to treat asthma and breathing problems, was banned from import for nine
months.
The Drug
Administration of Vietnam under the Ministry of Health officially approved
salbutamol imports after reviewing the trade and use of the substance, which
had reportedly been abused by many livestock farmers to make pigs grow fast and
lean.
In its
document sent to the General Department of Customs, the administration also
allowed a resumption of clenbutarol import, its deputy head Do Van Dong said on
August 24. The drug is also used to increase muscle mass for livestock.
Salbutamol
is vital in treating respiratory diseases but in early March, the Environment
Police Department, also known as C49, revealed the abuse of the substance in
pig farming.
According
to the police, over 20 firms imported 9,140 kilograms of salbutamol into
Vietnam last year. Of the volume, six tons were sold on the market but only ten
kilograms were bought and used in accordance with regulations. A big amount of
the substance ended up being used by livestock farmers.
The drug
administration issued a document on November 20 last year halting import of
both salbutamol and clenbutarol.
During
the nine-month ban, the administration tightened its management on the trade
and use of salbutamol. So far local enterprises have generally adhered to
regulations. To meet the domestic demand for salbutamol in medical treatment,
the administration has decided to reopen the door for the drug.
However,
the removal of the ban applies to drug producers that have registered to use
the substance for making medicine and still hold valid certificates to import
salbutamol. Other businesses whose contracts to import the drug were approved
before November 20 last year are not allowed to do so.
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