§ 02 · Comparison
Compare regulatory pathways side-by-side
Benchmark MAHMAH, GMPGMP, HTAHTA and pathway requirements across up to three markets.
Lead pathway (timeline & fees), New Drug Registration, Standard Visa · Centralised Procedure
Pathway name
- VietnamNew Drug Registration, Standard Visa
- European UnionCentralised Procedure
Approval timeline
- Vietnam270-540 days
- European Union210-277 days
Headline fee and pathway
- VietnamVND 11,000,000, New Drug Registration, Standard Visa
- European UnionEUR 865,200, Centralised Procedureconditional on other
Recurring charges
- VietnamNo recurring fee
- European UnionEUR 232,400 a year, per marketing authorisation, other applications
Local representative
- VietnamRequired
- European UnionRequired
Local manufacturing
- VietnamNot required
- European UnionNot required
GMP inspection
- VietnamRequired
- European UnionRequired
MAH & local presence
Local entity required
- VietnamYes
- European UnionYes
Local responsible person
- VietnamYes
- European UnionYes
RP role
- VietnamVisa holders must designate a registered pharmacist (Chief Pharmacist) responsible for quality and pharmacovigilance, and a contact for the National DI&ADR Centre.
- European UnionQualified Person Responsible for Pharmacovigilance (QPPV), must reside and operate in the EU/EEA, is responsible for the establishment and maintenance of the pharmacovigilance system. A Qualified Person (QP) in the EU/EEA performs batch certification under Article 51 of Directive 2001/83/EC. Local Contact Person for pharmacovigilance required in each Member State where the product is marketed (since 2012 GVP).
Accelerated pathways
Designations available
- Vietnam2 designations
- European Union6 designations
Examples
- VietnamPublic Health Emergency / Conditional Visa, Auto-extension of Marketing Authorisation
- European UnionAccelerated Assessment, Conditional Marketing Authorisation, Authorisation under Exceptional Circumstances +3
Post-approval lifecycle
Variations framework
- VietnamVariations classified per Circular 08/2022/TT-BYT and Circular 12/2025/TT-BYT into Major Variation (DAV approval), Minor Variation (notification or prior approval) and Administrative Variation, broadly aligned with ASEAN Variation Guideline.
- European UnionCommission Regulation (EC) 1234/2008 establishes four categories: Type IA (minor, Do and Tell, 12-month notification), Type IAIN (minor, immediate notification), Type IB (minor, Tell, Wait, and Do, 30-day default), Type II (major, prior approval, 60 to 90 days), and Extensions (Annex I changes, full review). Worksharing procedures consolidate variations across multiple authorisations.
Renewal cycle
- VietnamVisa is valid for 5 years (or 3 years for products with conditional approval / new active substances), renewable; Circular 08/2022 introduced auto-extension during DAV review of renewals.
- European UnionInitial 5-year renewal, application 9 months before expiry. After the first renewal, MA is granted for unlimited duration unless the CHMP/NCA, on justified grounds relating to pharmacovigilance, decides on one additional 5-year renewal.
Pharmacovigilance
- VietnamVietnam's National Centre of Drug Information and Adverse Drug Reactions Monitoring (DI&ADR Centre) coordinates national ADR reporting (Vietnam is a member of the WHO Programme for International Drug Monitoring, Uppsala). Visa holders must submit PSURs aligned to ICH E2C(R2), report serious ADRs within statutory timelines, and maintain a Risk Management Plan (RMP) for new active substances.
- European UnionComprehensive PV framework under Directive 2010/84/EU and Regulation (EU) 1235/2010, codified in Good Pharmacovigilance Practices (GVP). Pharmacovigilance System Master File (PSMF) required. Periodic Safety Update Reports (PSURs) on EU-harmonised birth-date list. Risk Management Plans for all new MAs and significant variations. Suspected serious ADR reporting to EudraVigilance within 15 days. Black triangle (▼) for additional monitoring of selected products.
Unlicensed access
Named Patient Supply
- VietnamAvailable
- European UnionAvailable
Compassionate Use
- VietnamAvailable
- European UnionAvailable
Emergency Import
- VietnamAvailable
- European UnionAvailable
Parallel Import
- VietnamNot permitted
- European UnionPermitted
Clinical trials
CTA approval
- VietnamRequired
- European UnionRequired
Ethics approval
- VietnamYes
- European UnionYes
CTA timeline
- Vietnam60-120 days
- European Union60-106 days
GCP standard
- VietnamICH E6(R2) GCP; MoH Vietnamese GCP guidelines
- European UnionICH E6(R3), Commission Regulation (EU) 2024/2748 transposing R3, applicable from 23 July 2025
Pricing & reimbursement
Price regulation
- VietnamRegulated
- European UnionRegulated
Reference pricing
- VietnamYes
- European UnionYes
HTA required
- VietnamNo
- European UnionYes
HTA body
- VietnamMoH Reimbursement Drug List Council (HTA capability developing, Health Strategy and Policy Institute, HSPI)
- European UnionEU HTA Coordination Group (EUnetHTA legacy); national HTA bodies (NICE, HAS, G-BA/IQWiG, AIFA, AEMPS, etc.)