Pharmacy Department

1. History

• 1911: Established as a dispensary during the early days of Bach Mai Hospital.
• 1954: Known as the "Pharmacy House" (Nhà thuốc) led by Pharmacist Lương Tấn Thành, later renamed the Pharmacy Department.
• 1975 – 1999: Underwent several restructuring phases, transferring medical equipment and consumables management to specialized departments while integrating the Pharmacy of the International Hospital and the Hospital Pharmacy Research Unit.
• Present: The department has established an ISO 9001:2008 quality management system and advanced pharmacy management software to ensure precision and efficiency in clinical and administrative tasks.

2. Functions and Missions
2.1. Functions

• The Pharmacy Department is a professional unit under the direct leadership of the Hospital Director. It manages and advises on all pharmacy-related activities within the hospital to ensure a timely supply of high-quality medication and to supervise safe and rational drug use.

2.2. Key Missions

• Supply Planning: Ensure adequate quantity and quality of drugs for treatment, clinical trials, and disaster/epidemic response.
• Inventory Management: Monitor the import, export, and distribution of medications.
• Drug and Treatment Council: Act as the lead unit for the council's activities.
• Storage: Maintain drugs according to Good Storage Practice (GSP) standards.
• Preparation: Formulate specific medications and disinfectant chemicals.
• Clinical Pharmacy: Provide drug information, consultation, and pharmacovigilance (ADR reporting).
• Supervision: Oversee professional pharmacy regulations across all hospital departments.
• Research & Training: Serve as a practical training site for pharmacy students and conduct scientific research.
• Antibiotic Stewardship: Coordinate with clinical departments to monitor and evaluate antibiotic use and resistance.
• Hospital Pharmacy System: Manage the operations of the hospital's retail pharmacies in compliance with GPP standards.

3. Professional Activities
3.1. Procurement and Supply

• Implements drug bidding in strict accordance with Ministry of Health regulations.
• Utilizes specialized software to manage data before and after bidding to ensure accuracy.

3.2. Administrative Pharmacy

• Updates and implements Ministry of Health circulars regarding health insurance (BHYT) payments and GSP standards.
• Encodes the drug list for automated health insurance appraisal.

3.3. Distribution

• Operates a centralized delivery system providing medications and fluids to all clinical departments.
• Strictly manages clinical trial medications according to manufacturer protocols.

3.4. Clinical Pharmacy and Drug Information

• Clinical pharmacists participate in inter-departmental and hospital-wide consultations.
• Developed protocols for prophylactic antibiotics and monitoring high-risk drugs (Vancomycin, Colistin, etc.).
• Maintains an active ADR reporting system and publishes the "Drug Information Bulletin" for medical staff.

3.5. Preparation

• Formulates timely medications for treatment, including hand sanitizers during the COVID-19 pandemic in collaboration with the Hanoi
• University of Pharmacy.

3.6. Hospital Pharmacy System

• Operates 24/7 pharmacies providing high-quality drugs at stabilized prices.
• Fully integrated with electronic invoicing and the National Pharmacy Database.
• Staffed by professional pharmacists to provide drug counseling and ensure prescription accuracy.

5. Photos of Activities