Why Should You Consider Vietnam For Your Clinical Trials? Here Are The Top 7 Reasons
When considering Vietnam for your clinical trials, several compelling reasons make it a top choice. Vietnam offers a unique combination of cost-efficiency, regulatory advancements, and access to diverse patient populations, positioning it as an attractive destination for pharmaceutical companies and researchers. As global interest in innovative drug development grows, many organizations turn to Vietnam for its increasingly favorable clinical trial landscape.
The country’s growing healthcare infrastructure, coupled with governmental research support, has created a thriving environment for clinical trials. From rapid approval processes to a large treatment-naive population, Vietnam stands out among emerging markets in Southeast Asia.
This article explores why Vietnam should be your next destination for clinical trials, discussing the market trends, key advantages, regulatory landscape, and more.
Understanding Vietnam’s population, disease prevalence, and clinical trials statistics
To conduct successful clinical trials in Vietnam, it’s crucial to understand the country’s demographics, prevalent diseases, and existing clinical trial landscape. Vietnam’s population dynamics, including age distribution and health trends, directly impact the types of diseases that are most common. Knowing these factors helps identify the need for medical research and treatment options.
Population statistics of Vietnam
Vietnam has a population of over 99 million people (as of 2023). The country has a youthful and dynamic demographic, but it also has a growing elderly population due to rising life expectancy. Below is a breakdown of Vietnam’s population based on age groups:
- 0-14 years- 23% (approx. 22.8 million)
- 15-64 years- 69% (approx. 68.3 million)
- 65 years and older- 8% (approx. 7.9 million)
This distribution creates an ideal landscape for conducting trials across multiple age-related conditions, from pediatric to geriatric care.
Prevalent diseases in Vietnam
Vietnam faces a dual disease burden, with both communicable and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) being prevalent. The pie chart below is a percentage breakdown of the major diseases affecting Vietnam’s population.
Major diseases affecting Vietnam’s population
These prevalent conditions create opportunities for clinical trials focused on areas like oncology, cardiovascular health, diabetes, and infectious diseases.
Clinical trial statistics in Vietnam
Vietnam’s clinical trial market is steadily growing due to increased investments from international pharmaceutical companies. The country offers a skilled medical workforce and a favorable regulatory environment, which has led to a surge in clinical trials across different therapeutic areas.
- Total number of clinical trials: As of 2023, Vietnam has conducted over 730 clinical trials registered with the U.S. National Library of Medicine’s, ClinicalTrials.gov.
- Ongoing clinical trials: There are approximately 250 ongoing clinical trials, spanning a wide range of therapeutic areas.
Clinical trials by therapeutic areas
Clinical trials in Vietnam span various therapeutic areas. Here’s a breakdown of trials based on key areas.
Clinical trial statistics in Vietnam- By therapeutic areas
These statistics demonstrate Vietnam’s potential to contribute to global clinical research, particularly in oncology and non-communicable diseases.
Top 7 reasons to consider Vietnam for clinical trials
1. Favorable regulatory environment
Vietnam’s regulatory system for clinical trials has been streamlined significantly in recent years, making it easier for companies to gain trial approvals. The Ministry of Health (MOH) has established clear guidelines to reduce bureaucratic delays, resulting in approval times of just 4-6 months, which is notably quicker than other Southeast Asian countries. Additionally, Vietnam’s alignment with Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and the International Council for Harmonisation (ICH) standards ensures high-quality trials.
2. Rapid urbanization and healthcare investment
Vietnam’s rapid urbanization and substantial investment in its healthcare system have improved its ability to handle large-scale clinical trials. Major cities boast world-class hospitals and research facilities, equipped with cutting-edge technology and well-trained staff. This enables trials to be conducted in highly advanced environments, ensuring both efficiency and accuracy in research.
3. Large treatment-naive population
One of the unique advantages of conducting clinical trials in Vietnam is access to a large treatment-naive population. With over 97 million people, a significant percentage of the population has not undergone prior treatments for many chronic conditions, including cardiovascular diseases, oncology, and infectious diseases. This makes Vietnam an ideal location for Phase I and II trials, where a fresh population can provide more accurate data.
4. High prevalence of key diseases
Vietnam has a high incidence of diseases that are of particular interest to global pharmaceutical companies, such as hepatitis, cancer, diabetes, and tuberculosis. This enables companies to conduct focused trials in specific therapeutic areas. For instance, the country ranks among the top 20 countries with the highest burden of tuberculosis, presenting ample opportunities for testing new vaccines and treatments.
5. Skilled workforce and medical professionals
Vietnam boasts a rapidly growing base of highly skilled medical professionals. Many healthcare workers and researchers in the country are trained according to international standards, with experience in conducting trials across various therapeutic areas. Vietnamese doctors, many of whom have trained abroad, provide the expertise required to manage clinical trials efficiently, ensuring compliance with global protocols.
6. Growing economy and infrastructure development
As Vietnam’s economy continues to grow, so does its healthcare infrastructure. With a GDP growth rate of 7.02% in 2022, the country is investing heavily in modern healthcare facilities, research centers, and digital health technologies. For clinical trials, this means access to advanced medical equipment and improved patient care services, enhancing trial accuracy and reliability.
7. Government support for research
The Vietnamese government has taken significant steps to boost clinical research through favorable policies. For example, tax incentives for foreign pharmaceutical companies, along with special economic zones for research activities have attracted multinational corporations to the country. This government backing reduces logistical hurdles and makes Vietnam a cost-effective option for long-term clinical trials.
Regulatory requirements for clinical trials in Vietnam
Vietnam’s regulatory framework for clinical trials is overseen primarily by the Ministry of Health (MOH) and its Administration of Science, Technology, and Training (ASTT), which is responsible for clinical trial management and supervision. Additionally, the National Ethics Committee for Biomedical Research (NECBR) plays a crucial role in ensuring ethical compliance.
Key regulatory bodies
- Ministry of Health (MOH): The primary regulatory body that oversees all clinical trials conducted in Vietnam. The MOH is responsible for the approval, management, and monitoring of trials.
- Administration of Science, Technology, and Training (ASTT): A department within the MOH tasked with overseeing the technical and scientific aspects of clinical trials.
- National Ethics Committee for Biomedical Research (NECBR): The NECBR ensures that all clinical trials comply with ethical standards, focusing on patient safety, informed consent, and adherence to ethical guidelines.
Challenges and solutions for conducting clinical trials in Vietnam
While Vietnam shows great potential for clinical research, several challenges must be addressed to ensure smooth trial operations. Issues such as limited healthcare infrastructure, regulatory delays, and cultural barriers can impact the success of trials.
Overcoming these obstacles requires careful planning, local partnerships, and tailored solutions to the unique environment. The following are some of the challenges out of many.
1. Limited healthcare infrastructure
Vietnam’s healthcare infrastructure in rural areas can be underdeveloped, affecting trial sites and patient access. To overcome this, sponsors can focus on urban centers with more developed facilities or invest in upgrading local infrastructure, ensuring necessary resources are available.
2. Participant recruitment and retention
Recruiting participants, especially in rural regions, can be challenging due to limited healthcare access and awareness of clinical trials. To address this, public health education campaigns can raise awareness of the benefits of clinical trials. Offering transportation and incentives may also improve participation and retention.
3. Language and cultural barriers
Many participants and even healthcare workers may not be fluent in English or familiar with clinical trial procedures. Overcoming this requires culturally tailored materials and training programs in the local language. Hiring bilingual staff and providing clear communication can bridge the gap.
Data management and quality control
Ensuring consistent data collection and adherence to international standards may be difficult due to variations in training and technology. Regular training for clinical staff and implementing centralized digital systems for data management can help maintain the quality and integrity of trial results across all sites.
Conclusion
Vietnam presents a compelling case for conducting clinical trials, combining a favorable regulatory environment, a large treatment-naive population, and a skilled workforce. These factors, alongside government support and advancements in healthcare infrastructure, make the country an attractive destination for pharmaceutical companies and researchers. As global interest in innovative drug development continues to rise, Vietnam stands ready to contribute significantly to clinical research efforts.
Do you have questions regarding conducting clinical trials in Vietnam?
If you have any inquiries about conducting a clinical trial in Vietnam, our expert team is ready to assist you with the information you need. Contact us for guidance and support tailored to your specific clinical trial requirements.