Vietnam is among the countries with the highest rate of HIV transmission through drug injection. The prevalence of HIV among injecting-drug users is 20% and cases attributable to drug injection account for 60%. The current rate of HIV in IDUs has reduced but remained high in some localities, namely, Dien Bien (56%), Quang Ninh (56%), Hai Phong (48%) and Ho Chi Minh (46%), Dong Nai and Nghe An (24%), Hanoi (21%), and Lao Cai (22%). Detoxification at home, community, and in rehabilitation centers have been the main modalities for managing heroin addiction until Methadone Maintenance Treatment (MMT) was piloted in 2008.

After one year of pilot, MMT has been approved to provide for patients at 6 health establishments in Hai Phong and Ho Chi Minh. And after 5 years of implementation at 72 health establishments in 27 cities and provinces, the program has provided treatment for 15.000 patients. Ministry of Health has judged this treatment as an effective approach for health, economy and social. After reviewing the results of the pilot program, The Government approved the expansion plan proposed by the Ministry of Heath, which will provide MMT for 80.000 patients. This is really a challenge of Ministry of Health.

In order to assure the quantity of Methadone for treatment, Ministry issued the Decision 3845/QĐ-BYT on 30th September, 2013 which selected 5 qualified companies responsible for producing methadone. As Danapha was among those 5 qualified companies, we have researched, done test production and finished our Registration file. Consequently, Danapha has got the Marketing authorization for Methadone hydroclorid 1g/100ml approved by Drug Administration of Vietnam (Marketing authorization number: V2-H12-15, date of issuance: 12/8/2014).