In the operational structure of the
healthcare sector, while pharmacological specialties focus on therapeutic
efficacy for individuals, the field of Economic and Administrative Pharmacy
(Code: CK 607320) serves as the foundation ensuring the stable, safe, and
efficient operation of the entire pharmaceutical supply chain. This Specialist
Level I program, managed by the Ministry of Health, is specifically designed
for pharmacists working in management, planning, and executive roles, aiming to
standardize administrative competencies toward professional and modern
orientations.
1. Educational philosophy and
practice-oriented objectives
Unlike Master’s programs that focus
deeply on research methodology, the Specialist Level I program in Economic and
Administrative Pharmacy emphasizes implementation capacity and administrative
problem-solving. The program's philosophy is based on integrating foundational
pharmaceutical knowledge with management science, economics, and health law.
The core objective of major code CK
607320 is to train pharmaceutical managers capable of:
- Establishing and operating drug
supply systems that meet GSP (Good Practice) standards.
- Planning pharmaceutical development
strategies at the unit level in alignment with national health policies.
- Optimizing the use of financial and
human resources within pharmaceutical activities.
2. Content structure and advanced
administrative knowledge
The curriculum is systematically
constructed to reflect the pharmaceutical value chain within both public and
private healthcare systems.
2.1. National pharmaceutical law and
policy
This knowledge block guides
administrative behavior. Students conduct in-depth studies of the law on
pharmacy, decrees, and circulars regarding drug bidding, drug price management,
and pharmaceutical practice regulations. The most critical competency developed
here is the ability to apply legislation to build internal operating
procedures, ensuring strict compliance and mitigating legal risks in management
activities.
2.2. Pharmacoeconomics and financial
management
In the context of limited healthcare
resources, a Specialist Level I Pharmacist must also be an economist. The
program provides cost-effectiveness analysis tools to support the selection of
drugs for health insurance reimbursement lists or hospital drug formularies.
Students are trained in financial planning, drug budget management, and methods
for centralized or local drug bidding to ensure a sufficient supply of medicine
at optimal costs.
2.3. Supply chain management and
medical logistics
The pharmaceutical quality system
depends entirely on the supply chain. Training focuses on standardizing the
following processes: Forecasting – Bidding – Receiving – Storage –
Distribution. Students are trained to manage warehouses according to GSP (Good
Storage Practice) and GDP (Good Distribution Practice) standards, applying
smart inventory control models to avoid waste and loss of state assets.
3. Quality management competency and
information technology
A highlight of the current CK 607320
program is the integration of quality management and digital transformation.
- Quality Management: Students gain access to ISO standards,
Lean Six Sigma, or the hospital quality criteria issued by the Ministry of
Health to improve drug dispensing processes, minimize medical errors, and
enhance patient satisfaction.
- Pharmacy Information Systems (PIS): Modern pharmaceutical management
cannot be separated from IT. The program trains pharmacists to operate Hospital
Information Systems (HIS), manage pharmaceutical warehouses, and implement
national pharmaceutical data integration, which helps control prescription
drugs and track drug origins throughout the system.
4. Problem-solving methodology in
management
Specialist Level I pharmacists are
trained in scientific methodologies to handle real-world situations such as:
- Resolving drug shortages or supply
chain disruptions.
- Managing issues related to
substandard or counterfeit medicines.
- Reforming pharmaceutical personnel
structures and enhancing the professional capacity of subordinates.
Leadership, communication, and
negotiation skills are also integrated, enabling pharmacists to have a decisive
voice in the Drug and Therapeutics Committee and to coordinate effectively with
clinical departments and the board of directors.
5. Learning outcomes and career
advancement
A Specialist Level I diploma in Economic
and Administrative Pharmacy is a hallmark of high-level executive capacity
within the Vietnamese healthcare system.
- Professional positions: Graduates typically hold positions
such as Head/Deputy Head of Hospital Pharmacy Departments; Directors/Managers
of pharmaceutical enterprises; or leadership roles within Ministry of Health or
state pharmaceutical regulatory agencies.
- Professional rights: This is a vital condition for the
promotion of public officials (from Pharmacist Grade III to Grade II) and is a
mandatory step toward the Specialist Level II (CKII) qualification - the
pinnacle of healthcare management practice.
The Specialist Level
I program in Economic and Administrative Pharmacy (CK 607320) is more than just
an academic upgrade; it is a leap in modern healthcare management thinking. In
a healthcare system striving for transparency, efficiency, and
patient-centeredness, the role of these specialist pharmacists is
irreplaceable. They are the architects designing a sustainable pharmaceutical
system, ensuring that every patient has the opportunity to access quality
medicine in the most equitable and economical way.