A massive operation producing and selling fake Western medicines has been exposed, affecting patient safety across Vietnam.
Authorities in Thanh Hoa province have seized 21 types of counterfeit Western medicines, many targeting bone and joint conditions and respiratory issues.
Shockingly, suspects admitted to selling large quantities of fake drugs since 2021, reaping nearly 200 billion VND (approximately 7.9 million USD) in illegal profits.
Nearly 10 tons of counterfeit medicines and materials seized. Photo: CACC
On April 16, Thanh Hoa provincial police announced the successful dismantling of a massive nationwide counterfeit pharmaceutical ring. The suspects revealed that from 2021 until their recent arrest, they had distributed fake drugs on a large scale, earning illicit profits approaching 200 billion VND.
Among the confiscated items were 21 types of counterfeit Western medicines and supplements marketed for joint pain and other ailments. These included:
Western medications: 44 boxes of Tetracyclin, 40 boxes of Clorocid, 49 boxes of Pharcoter, and 52 boxes of Neo-Codion (a cough suppressant and anti-irritant).
Joint and bone treatment supplements: 1,232 boxes of Nhat Khop Te Bai Hoan, 4,122 boxes of Tui Hua Shen Jing Tong (marketed as "Singapore degeneration remedy"), 2,285 boxes of Cordyceps Ginseng Plus, 1,923 boxes of Professor’s Pill ("green joint"), 5,172 boxes of Mujarhabat Kapsul ("green joint"), 2,017 boxes of Gai Cot Hoan, 930 boxes of Toa Cot Thien Ma Thong Phong Hoan, 6,612 boxes of Tuyet Lien Thien Ma Joint Care Pill, 1,014 boxes of Phong Te Nhuc Bach Xa Vuong, 4,743 boxes of Phong Te Nhuc Ho Cot Hoan, 845 boxes of Da Xoang Mui, 4,012 boxes of Vien Vai Co, 2,413 boxes of Yuan Bone, 834 boxes of Thoai Cot Hoan Plus, 515 boxes of Thoai Hoa Nhuc Khop Hoan Plus, and 657 boxes of Thoai Hoa Toa Cot Don.
Health risks of counterfeit medication
The counterfeit ring earned nearly 200 billion VND in illicit profits. Photo: CACC
According to Associate Professor Nguyen Hoai Nam, senior lecturer at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Ho Chi Minh City, patients who consume counterfeit drugs face numerous health risks. Fully fake medications, such as pills made from flour, offer no therapeutic benefit. Partially fake drugs, with incorrect dosages or ingredients, not only fail to treat the condition but can also cause harmful side effects.
He particularly warned against bone and joint medications adulterated with high doses of anti-inflammatory corticosteroids like Dexamethasone or Cortisone. While these drugs may temporarily relieve symptoms, they can lead to dependency, prompting patients to take them at every sign of pain.
Nam stressed that corticosteroids must only be used under strict medical supervision. Prolonged unsupervised use can result in severe consequences such as osteoporosis, hypertension, blood clots, gastric ulcers, immune suppression, and even adrenal gland atrophy, where the body stops producing natural hormones due to dependence on external drugs.
He also noted that high doses of corticosteroids can disrupt lipid metabolism, causing fat accumulation in the face, neck, and back, leading to Cushing’s syndrome.
Associate Professor and pharmacist Nguyen Huu Duc, former lecturer at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Ho Chi Minh City, added that counterfeit drugs may contain no active ingredients, incorrect dosages, impure or contaminated compounds, or even toxic substances. These pose life-threatening risks, leaving illnesses untreated and potentially worsening the patient’s condition.
Both experts strongly advised consumers to buy medications only from certified pharmacies that meet Good Pharmacy Practice (GPP) standards and to avoid unregulated or hand-sold drugs.
Inside the massive fake drug operation
Ringleaders Nguyen Tien Dat and Trinh Doan Giao. Photo: CACC
Police in Thanh Hoa also arrested 14 individuals involved in producing and distributing counterfeit drugs intended for disease prevention and treatment.
According to investigators, the suspects operated a widespread operation across cities including Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Vinh Phuc, Hung Yen, An Giang, and Dong Thap. They raided six production and storage facilities, seizing nearly 10 tons of fake Western medicines and raw materials.
The ringleaders, Nguyen Tien Dat (born 1991, residing at Hapulico Apartment Complex, Thanh Xuan District, Hanoi) and Trinh Doan Giao (born 1985, residing in Binh Tan District, Ho Chi Minh City), coordinated the operation by exploiting regulatory gaps in pharmaceutical sales.
They purchased unverified pharmaceutical ingredients, herbs, and medicinal powders of unknown origin. Workers were hired to mix and grind the materials into powder, encapsulate them using machines, blister-pack the capsules, and package them under branded labels for distribution.
To mislead consumers, the group did not replicate existing legitimate medications. Instead, they created entirely new drug names and fictitious foreign company identities, often claiming origins in Hong Kong, Malaysia, or Singapore. This tactic confused buyers into believing they were purchasing imported supplements.
Initially, the group mixed genuine medicine into batches of fake products to evade detection during inspections. Once they built a stable customer base, they sold only their self-manufactured counterfeit drugs, primarily targeting freelance pharmacists operating in medicine markets.
From 2021 until their arrest, the group circulated large volumes of counterfeit medications nationwide, earning illicit profits estimated at nearly 200 billion VND.
Vietnamnet.vn
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