The Drug Administration of Vietnam urgently warns about eye drops suspected of being counterfeit Novartis products.

The Drug Administration of Vietnam (Ministry of Health) has just issued an official dispatch on verifying and handling information related to eye drops showing signs of counterfeiting.

Counterfeit drug samples warned by the Drug Administration - Photo: CHAU SA

In an official dispatch sent to the Department of Health of provinces and cities and Novartis Vietnam Company Limited, the Drug Administration of Vietnam said that according to Novartis Vietnam's report, in July 2025, the company received 4 cases of suspected counterfeit drugs through consumer feedback.

Through inspection, Novartis determined that the product Tobrex 5ml, lot number VEE90A is counterfeit. At the same time, the company suspects that the following products Tobrex 5ml, lot number VEE98C; Maxitrol 5ml, lot number VFD09A; TobraDex 5ml, lot number VHN07A may be counterfeit.

According to data on the Drug Administration Public Service, these drugs are all registered by Novartis Vietnam. Tobrex 5ml has registration number VN-19385-15. Maxitrol 5ml has registration number 540110024025 (old registration number: VN-21435-18). TobraDex 5ml has registration number VN-20587-17.

To ensure safety for users, the Drug Administration of Vietnam requests local health departments to notify all drug businesses and users and people not to buy, sell or use drugs with the above names and batch numbers.

When detecting products circulating on the market, it is necessary to immediately notify health authorities and functional agencies for timely inspection and handling.

The Drug Administration of Vietnam requires units to seriously implement the direction of the Government and the Ministry of Health on strengthening the prevention of smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeit goods in the pharmaceutical sector. At the same time, coordinate communication and instruct people to only buy drugs at legal establishments and not use drugs of unknown origin.

Novartis Vietnam is responsible for providing accurate information and coordinating with authorities to trace the origin of the above drug batches when requested.

Samples of suspected counterfeit drugs - Photo: CHAU SA

The Drug Administration of Vietnam affirmed that this is an urgent notice, requiring units to seriously implement it to protect patients' health.

All three products warned in the document are Novartis eye drops. Of these, Tobrex 5ml contains the antibiotic Tobramycin used to treat eye infections.

Maxitrol 5ml is a combination eye drop (Neomycin, Polymyxin B, Dexamethasone) commonly used in bacterial eye infections. TobraDex 5ml is a combination drug (Tobramycin + Dexamethasone) that treats eye infections.

This is an eye drop commonly prescribed in the treatment of inflammation and infection.

VERMILLION

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/cuc-quan-ly-duoc-canh-bao-khan-ve-thuoc-nho-mat-nghi-gia-mao-hang-cua-novartis-20250917160620648.htm