AGP Executive Report

FDA Eye-Drug Recall: The U.S. FDA is recalling 747,844 units of eye drops sold under nine brand names (including Walgreens) because the products may not be sterile; consumers are urged to check lot numbers and stop use if included. Vietnam Health & Sports Medicine: Aspetar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital joined the AFC Medical Committee meeting in Kuala Lumpur, recommending Vietnam Football Federation as host for the AFC Medical Conference 2027 in Hanoi and approving new child safety heading protocols. Vietnam Economy & Food Security: Vietnam’s agriculture, forestry and fisheries grew 4.02% in the first nine months of 2026, with fisheries and high-tech aquaculture cited as key drivers supporting food security and exports. Vietnam Inflation Watch: Vietnam’s CPI rose 4.52% year-on-year in the first nine months, with September up 0.62% month-on-month, driven mainly by fuel and gas, plus education and healthcare service costs. Pharma/Wellness Market Signals: A Vietnam-focused livestream highlighted hundreds of products from farmers and medicinal herbs to OCOP goods, pointing to growing interest in wellness-linked local supply chains.

Pharma & Safety: The U.S. FDA issued a recall of 747,844 eye-drop units sold under multiple brand names (including Walgreens) made by Sterling Pharmaceutical Services, warning the products may not be sterile. Public Health & Nutrition: Vietnam’s Ministry of Health is seeking feedback on a draft circular that would offer incentives to families/couples with at least two daughters under 16 to help reduce the sex ratio imbalance at birth, but critics worry it could deepen gender inequality. Economy & Health Access: Vietnam’s GDP grew 9.01% year-on-year in the first nine months of 2026, with consumer prices up 4.52%, a backdrop that can affect household health spending and affordability. Urban Policy: New October rules include an Urban Development Law aimed at improving governance and creating development space, with special mechanisms for Ho Chi Minh City and other special-class cities. Health Workforce: Vietnam universities still fall short of PhD enrollment targets, though the fulfillment rate rose to 62.61% in 2025-2026, leaving 37.39% of slots unfilled. Local Costs: Hanoi CPI rose 0.81% in September, driven by higher food prices after heavy rains damaged vegetable supply. Innovation in Care Logistics: A heavy-lift UAV tested in Vietnam (100kg payload) targets logistics and equipment transport for hard-to-reach areas—potentially useful for faster medical supply delivery in remote regions.

FDA Eye Recall: The U.S. FDA says hundreds of thousands of eye drops sold under multiple brand names may not be sterile, triggering a recall of 747,844 units made by Sterling Pharmaceutical Services. Public Health & Costs: Hanoi’s CPI rose 0.81% in September, with food and catering up 0.80% as heavy rains disrupted vegetable supply, pushing prices higher. Health Workforce Spotlight: A student at Hanoi Medical University ranked among the top four in the medical residency exam and chose Cardiology, highlighting intense competition in Vietnam’s training pipeline. Gender & Reproductive Policy: Vietnam’s Ministry of Health proposes incentives for families/couples with at least two daughters under 16 to address sex ratio imbalance at birth, drawing equality concerns as it seeks public feedback until Oct. 8. Regional Care Links: Ho Chi Minh City and southern localities are stepping up cooperation on healthcare and technology transfers to build a more integrated economic space. Healthcare Access & Wellness Tourism: Phú Quốc is positioning beyond beaches with wellness, longer stays and MICE travel ahead of APEC 2027, aiming to shift demand toward higher-spending visitors.

Vietnam Health & Fitness Policy: Vietnam’s top leader To Lam urged stronger sports development as part of national strength and human development, linking physical fitness to broader health goals. Mental Health & Research: A Vietnamese PhD researcher in Australia won major international student awards for AI/ML work aimed at predicting and preventing suicide and self-harm in young people, especially those with limited support access. Public Health History Lesson: A 1902 Hanoi plague response that paid people for rat tails backfired—many “tailless” rats were still alive—highlighting how poorly designed incentives can undermine disease control. Healthcare Access (Local): A new primary care doctor, John Gray, DO, joined Adventist Health’s Oakhurst team and is accepting new patients, emphasizing prevention and patient education. Health & Cost Pressures: Hanoi CPI rose 0.81% in September, with food and catering up and vegetable prices pressured by heavy rains—factors that can affect nutrition and household health budgets. Health Tech & Innovation: Vietnam’s innovation performance drew attention in a WIPO Global Innovation Index discussion, with Vietnam noted for strong innovation outputs relative to inputs.

Sports & Wellness Tech: Virtual taekwondo made its Asian Games debut with VR headsets and motion tracking, letting athletes score by aiming real kicks at a contact-free virtual opponent; Vietnam’s Ngoc Tuyet Sang Chau was beaten in the mixed individual final by Jeus Yape, who won the Philippines’ fourth gold. Public Health & Prevention: Hanoi reported September CPI up 0.81%, with food and catering rising 0.80% as heavy rains disrupted vegetable supply—while medicines and healthcare services rose 0.44%. Health Policy & Fitness: Vietnam’s top leader urged stronger sports development as a pillar of national strength and better health outcomes. Tobacco Harm: A new global study links chewing tobacco to about 251,000 deaths in 2023, with most of the burden concentrated in South Asia. Healthcare Business: Technomedics says it ranked in the 2026 Best Workplaces in Asia (small and medium) and also placed in Sri Lanka’s Great Place to Work list. Digital Life: Vietnam ranked sixth for easiest digital nomad setup, with the study citing healthcare, connectivity, costs, and visa/admin friction. Wellness Hospitality: Fusion launched LÈGACY Hanoi, a wellness-led hotel opening Sept. 16, and announced a Da Lat wellness resort planned for 2027.

Vietnam Health & Wellness: A high-risk pregnancy story from Hanoi highlights how severe gestational diabetes and early cervical shortening can still end in hope after intensive care, including cerclage and admission to a high-risk pregnancy unit. Public Health & Tobacco: A new global study estimates chewing tobacco contributed to about 251,000 deaths in 2023, with most of the burden concentrated in South Asia—an urgent reminder for Vietnam’s tobacco-control efforts. Healthcare & Innovation: MIMS says it is accelerating product innovation and international growth with AI-enabled capabilities, pointing to more tech-driven healthcare services. Health, Economy & Jobs: Vietnam’s tourism sector is reported to have contributed nearly 8.8% of GDP in 2025 and supported 4.41 million jobs, underlining how wellness travel and health-linked services can boost livelihoods. Trade & Nutrition: Vietnam’s cashew push continues, with a business seminar in Argentina focused on quality, stable supply, and expanding processed cashew exports. Climate & Health: Ho Chi Minh City is preparing for worsening floods as climate change raises stakes for public health and emergency response.

Climate & Flood Resilience (HCMC): Ho Chi Minh City is learning to live with floods as heavy rain meets high tides, with residents adapting to disrupted daily life while experts warn climate change is amplifying flood risk through sea-level rise, heavier downpours, and land subsidence. Public Health Research (Tobacco): A new Global Burden of Disease analysis estimates chewing tobacco caused about 251,000 deaths worldwide in 2023, with most of the burden concentrated in South Asia and prevalence largely unchanged globally. Aging & Care (Vietnam): Hai Phong kicked off Vietnam’s 2026 Action Month for the Elderly, pushing integrated care and free health check-ups as the country’s population ages faster. Healthcare Tech (Vietnam-linked): Zeya Health, an AI front-desk platform, acquired clinic automation firm ConnectLah, expanding its provider network that already includes Vietnam. Health Policy Watch (Workplace health): Vietnam’s proposed menstrual leave for civil service employees is being discussed as a workplace health and labor-rights issue. Health & Economy (Manufacturing): Vietnam’s manufacturing PMI eased in September to 51.9, suggesting slower improvement as new export orders fell amid weaker international demand.

Cosmetic Surgery Safety: An Australian woman died in Vietnam after complications following breast implants, a tummy tuck and liposuction at City International Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, with reports citing a perforated colon and abdominal inflammation. Elder Care & “Silver Economy”: Vietnam rolled out expanded support for older people, including a policy push for elderly healthcare and at least one free periodic health check-up per year from 2026. Population & Family Support: The Ministry of Health proposed local incentives for couples having children, including infertility screening support, cash or in-kind help for pregnant women, and assistance for children up to 12 months. Ethnic Minority Rights: Vietnam is reviewing two years of implementing the UN anti-racial discrimination convention, with a focus on strengthening data systems and policy coordination. Health Data Integrity Probe: Vietnam investigated 28 officials over alleged monitoring data fraud and improper sample collection tied to certificates. Workforce & Training Links: Hung Yen province sought deeper cooperation with Seoul National University on AI, biomedicine, and public administration training. Wellness & Movement: A Singapore wellness campaign paired nutritional supplements with Pilates restoration sessions, reflecting growing demand for preventive health routines.

Elder Care Reform: Vietnam’s ageing population is pushing calls to expand community-based support, including day care models that help older adults stay mobile, socially connected, and supported at home rather than relying only on residential care. Tobacco Harm Reduction: Vietnam’s nicotine policy debate stays hot as Asia’s nicotine forum (AFN26) in Manila spotlights evidence-based tobacco harm reduction while noting Vietnam’s e-cigarette ban is now law and other countries are tightening or cracking down. Occupational Health Alert: A new report warns artificial-stone workers face deadly, irreversible silicosis from respirable crystalline silica, saying current rules and even “extra precautions” often fall short. Infection Risk for Chronic Disease: GSK Vietnam highlights how diabetes and chronic kidney disease can raise infection risks in older adults, urging preventive care and vaccination. Silver Economy & Workforce: Vietnam is also weighing broader social insurance for gig drivers and proposals to improve care systems and workforce readiness for an older society. Health Tourism Watch: Penang reports 285,400 medical tourists and RM601.8m revenue in 1H 2026, underscoring regional competition for healthcare travelers. Infrastructure for Health Access: Vietnam’s science ministry says it will tackle mobile signal dead zones in 273 villages to improve connectivity for services and public administration.

US Tariff Relief for Specialty Drugs: The U.S. has waived ad valorem tariffs on specified specialty medicines and key ingredients from Bangladesh and 19 other markets, including Vietnam—covering areas like orphan drugs, nuclear medicines, plasma-derived therapies, fertility treatments, cell and gene therapies, antibody-drug conjugates, and medical countermeasures. Free Health Check-Ups: Vietnam’s Ministry of Health reports that more than half of the population has received free periodic check-ups, with some localities exceeding 90%, and is tightening disease-specific screening guidance while pushing use of existing medical data to cut repeat tests. Population Ageing & Silver Economy: Vietnam is urged to adapt faster to rapid ageing by improving healthcare and social support systems and expanding opportunities for older people to keep contributing. Movement & Mental Health: ASICS highlights a global inactivity problem ahead of World Mental Health Day, citing research that people report spending 86% of waking hours not moving. Medical Tourism Snapshot: Penang says it drew about 285,400 medical tourists and RM601.8m in revenue in the first six months of 2026, underscoring the region’s ongoing healthcare travel pull.

Vietnam Legal Update: A new Circular (12/2026/TT-TANDTC) is already being enforced, banning phones, tablets, laptops, smartwatches, and other audio/video or signal devices in trials and court hearings unless the presiding judge explicitly allows it—raising fresh concerns for lawyers amid Vietnam’s push toward digital services. Animal Welfare in Vietnam: Vietnam has banned the moon bear bile extraction practice, and 150 rescued moon bears are now being rehabilitated at a sanctuary in Tam Dao National Park, with a high-profile Rick Wakeman piano performance drawing attention to the issue. Public Health & Food Safety: Experts warn that excessive cinnamon—especially cassia—can harm the liver due to coumarin; they recommend Ceylon (“true”) cinnamon for people who consume it often. Trade & Pharma Access: The US is exempting select speciality medicines and ingredients (including rare-disease, fertility, cell/gene therapies, and antibody-drug conjugates) from a 100% tariff for eligible countries, with Vietnam listed among the jurisdictions. Maritime Governance: New vessel entry/exit/transit rules take effect in October, requiring procedures at the first/last port and tightening control during transit.

Cancer Care Access: Bach Mai Hospital oncologist Assoc. Prof. Pham Cam Phuong has become the Oncidium Foundation’s first Vietnam ambassador, aiming to expand access to advanced cancer treatments including theranostics. Pharma Fraud Crackdown: Vietnam police raided eight sites over alleged sales of fake An Cung pills, with investigators saying products were sourced from unknown ingredients and repackaged for sale. Maritime & Coastal Health: UNDP’s Ramla Khalidi urged Vietnam to turn marine policy into action—pushing modern marine governance, a blue economy, and support for coastal livelihoods. Digital Health & Tech: MIMS Group is rolling out new AI-enabled clinical decision support and medicines information platforms to improve safer, more efficient clinical workflows. Public Health Infrastructure: Binh Minh Plastics expanded its “Loving Water for the Future” clean-water project to border and mountainous communities, supporting students alongside water pipes. Specialty Drug Tariffs: The US announced zero import duties for certain speciality drugs and components from Vietnam and 19 other jurisdictions, a move that could ease costs for rare-disease and advanced therapies.

Vietnam’s fertility access challenge: A 36-year-old woman in Ho Chi Minh City spent over two years trying to find an anonymous sperm donor for IVF, highlighting how strict anonymity rules and repeated clinic screening can delay solo motherhood. Public health justice: Vietnam has begun a mass trial of 65 psychiatric facility staff and others accused of taking bribes to issue fake diagnoses that helped criminals get lighter sentences. Science for growth: Prime Minister Le Minh Hung urged faster, more measurable science and technology tasks tied to socio-economic growth, including removing bottlenecks to commercialise research and improve digital transformation. Pain medicine expansion: Grünenthal partnered with DKSH to broaden access to four pain medicines across eight Asia-Pacific markets, including Vietnam. Safety and emergency care: A truck-motorcycle crash in central Quang Tri killed two people and injured one, with authorities investigating the cause. Sports medicine update: Striker Xuan Son’s hamstring injury forced an early end to his ASEAN Cup campaign, with treatment planned after he returns to Vietnam. Tourism governance push: Deputy PM Pham Thi Thanh Tra called for shifting tourism management toward ecosystem governance and removing institutional bottlenecks to unlock breakthroughs.

Workplace Mental Health: A Vietnam workplace survey found 51.2% of employees struggle to stop thinking about work after hours and 41.2% frequently feel stressed, with 85.3% saying mental state affects performance—researchers warn short-term support won’t fix pressure if workloads and staffing stay the same. Emergency Care Digital Push: Vietnam plans a nationwide smart pre-hospital emergency management platform in 2027 to speed dispatch, improve coordination between responders and hospitals, and standardize care across provinces. Preventive Healthcare Training: Ho Chi Minh City’s University of Medicine and Pharmacy launched a vaccinology programme for postgraduate learners to strengthen vaccine-preventable disease prevention as non-communicable burdens rise. Halal Export Drive: Vietnam is aiming to grow from about US$900 million in Halal exports by tackling certification gaps, deeper processing, and supply-chain readiness for market-specific requirements. Tourism & Wellness Demand: Da Nang is stepping up efforts to attract Russia and CIS visitors, with 411,000 arrivals in the first eight months of 2026, boosting demand for beach resorts, wellness, and gastronomy. Cancer Care Tech: Vietnam is expanding radiopharmaceutical capacity for cancer diagnosis and treatment, supporting more advanced oncology services.

Heart Care Milestone: Vietnam’s 108 Military Central Hospital performed the first successful left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation using the new-generation CorHeart 6 for a severe heart failure patient, adding a new option for those awaiting transplant. Cancer Tech Boost: Vietnam is also expanding radiopharmaceutical production capacity for cancer diagnosis and treatment, signaling faster local access to advanced care. Public Health Alerts: Mid-Autumn dengue and chikungunya risk warnings were issued in both HCMC and Hong Kong, urging residents to prevent mosquito bites as seasonal outbreaks loom. Wellness Tourism: Bhaya Soul Wellness Cruise in Ha Long Bay joined Small Luxury Hotels of the World, positioning the bay as a higher-end wellness destination. Urban Living & Health: A Hanoi-to-suburb commuting trend highlights how people are seeking lower pollution and cost while keeping access to city jobs and food. Food & Nutrition: A Vietnam-linked story on wellness and nutrition trends also surfaced, alongside broader coverage of dietary habits and health debates.

Card Care Milestone: Vietnam’s 108 Military Central Hospital performed the first successful implantation of the CorHeart 6 cardiac support device, offering new options for patients with severe heart failure. AI for Health & Science: A Hanoi public lecture highlighted how AI is reshaping materials research and disease diagnosis, pushing scientists to apply new tools within specific medical fields. Nutrition & Wellness Angle: Experts warn that everyday cinnamon—especially common cassia—may pose liver risks when consumed regularly due to coumarin, urging moderation. Public Health Context: Reports on dengue and chikungunya risk during Mid-Autumn celebrations in Hong Kong and local outreach efforts underscore the need for prevention and timely care. Health System & Access: Vietnam’s radiopharmaceutical capacity push continues, with new steps aimed at improving cancer diagnosis and treatment. Mobility & Health Habits: A story on long commutes from Hanoi suburbs to city jobs spotlights how people balance cost, pollution, and daily routines—factors that can affect wellbeing.