An assessment of the national policy framework on management and quality assurance of contraceptives in Vietnam

Abstract

    In the context that international aid for contraceptive supplies has been significantly reduced and the national family planning programs could cover only the needs of certain groups, the free market has been developing to cover contraceptive needs of the others. Therefore, there is an increasing need to develop and implement a national policy on management and quality assurance contraceptives for endusers.

This research was conducted from 10/2014 – 5/2015, using a desk study and qualitative in-depth interviews with 14 key informants (policymakers, policy-implementers and stakeholders) and NVIVO7 software for analysis. The current classification of contraceptives based on responsible government agencies is unclear and overlapped. The policy framework on management and quality assurance of contraceptive drugs is quite complete whereas there are major policy gaps in the policy of contraceptive devices. The capacity of quality assurance system of contraceptives is very limited and needs to be strengthened. Based on the findings from this review, recommendations are made for improving the policy framework on management and quality control of contraceptives in Vietnam as follows: develop additional policy documents to clearly assign responsibilities of contraceptive management (either as drug or devices) to managing institutions and establish an effective collaboration mechanism among government managing agencies; complete the system of policy documents to manage and control quality of contraceptives in all phases; enhance human resource and technical capacity for post market surveillance system.