Vietnam’s Ministry of Health is preparing to expand its national health insurance coverage for cancer treatments by 2026, aiming to include 30 new targeted therapies and immunotherapies. This policy shift, intended to reduce the out-of-pocket financial burden for patients, follows significant concerns from voters regarding the accessibility and rising costs of life-saving medications.
Expanding Insurance Coverage for Cancer Patients
The Vietnamese government is currently revising Decree No. 20/2022/ND-CP to broaden the list of medications eligible for health insurance reimbursement. According to Tran Thi Trang, Director of the Health Insurance Department under the Ministry of Health, the upcoming 2026 updates will prioritize high-cost medications, including monoclonal antibodies and immune-modulating drugs.
Currently, the health insurance fund supports a vast array of treatments. Under existing regulations, the list of reimbursable drugs includes 1,037 active ingredients across 27 groups, alongside 59 radiopharmaceuticals. Of these, 76 active ingredients are specifically classified as oncology or immunomodulatory agents. The Ministry of Health emphasizes that coverage is based on active ingredients rather than specific brand names, allowing medical facilities flexibility in prescribing treatments based on clinical needs.
Addressing the Financial Burden of Oncology Care
Cancer treatment costs remain a primary challenge for Vietnam’s healthcare system. In 2023, the health insurance fund spent approximately 45.8 trillion VND on pharmaceutical costs, accounting for 32.8% of its total expenditures. Projections for 2024 indicate that these costs will rise to 50.7 trillion VND.
For patients, the cost of targeted and immune therapies can reach between 100 million and 150 million VND per month. Without full insurance subsidization, these costs often lead to treatment discontinuation. The Ministry of Health has allocated approximately 9.6 trillion VND for 2025 to support cancer and immunomodulatory drug expenses, which represents roughly 16.4% of the total budget earmarked for medication. By adding 30 new cancer drugs to the reimbursement list, officials anticipate that patients will receive coverage ranging from 30% to 70% of the drug costs, depending on the specific therapeutic category.
How the Reimbursement Process Works
Vietnam’s health insurance system operates on a national list of approved active ingredients. Because the system does not restrict reimbursement to specific brand names or formats, physicians can select from a wide range of commercially available products that contain the approved ingredients.
| Feature | Current Status | Projected 2026 Update |
|---|---|---|
| Oncology Drug List | 76 active ingredients | Addition of 30 new therapies |
| Primary Focus | General chemotherapy | Targeted and immunotherapy |
| Estimated Reimbursement | Varies by drug class | 30%–70% for high-cost drugs |
| Financial Goal | Stability of fund | Reduced out-of-pocket costs |
Improving Access to Modern Therapies
The push for policy reform stems from direct feedback provided by voters during the 15th National Assembly sessions. Constituents urged the Ministry of Health to streamline the process of adding new cancer treatments to the insurance list and to stabilize supply chains to prevent medication shortages.
The Health Strategy and Policy Institute has identified the high cost of modern oncology drugs as a major barrier to equitable healthcare. By shifting the financial burden from the individual to the national insurance fund, the Ministry of Health aims to ensure that patients can maintain long-term treatment regimens, which are essential for managing chronic cancer cases. The final draft of the updated regulation is expected to be finalized and implemented in 2026, marking a significant step toward improving the sustainability of oncology care in Vietnam.
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