Bribery Case for 686 Clinic Licenses Returned for Second Investigation

Hanoi's People's Court has once again returned a bribery case involving former health officials for additional investigation, marking the second time the case has been sent back for further clarification. The case centers on allegations that a group of former health officials accepted bribes to illegally issue operating licenses for 686 clinics and pharmacies across Hanoi.

According to the indictment, many clinic and pharmacy owners lacked the necessary qualifications and standards for licensing. They allegedly contacted intermediaries, known as 'brokers,' and paid bribes to expedite the process. The bribes varied depending on the type of license: Good Pharmacy Practice (GPP) certificates cost between 15-20 million Vietnamese dong, Good Distribution Practice (GDP) certificates ranged from 30-50 million dong, and operating licenses for examination and treatment facilities typically cost 60-70 million dong.

Upon receiving the money, the brokers reportedly contacted authorized individuals to 'facilitate' the licensing. This allegedly involved providing advance notice of inspection schedules, guiding applicants on how to complete their paperwork, minimizing reported violations, or overlooking infractions entirely. Between 2021 and 2024, these brokers are said to have received over 8.67 billion Vietnamese dong from the 686 medical and pharmaceutical establishments. This sum was then allegedly passed on to members of the appraisal teams or individuals with influence over the licensing process, with the brokers retaining the difference.

One of the accused, To Tu Anh, a former deputy head of the Private Medical and Pharmaceutical Practice Management Division, faces charges for allegedly receiving over 1.3 billion Vietnamese dong. During the trial, Tu Anh maintained that he only received 166 million dong as 'gratitude' through intermediaries, arguing it was payment for his professional knowledge and experience in guiding clinics. He claimed it was not bribery, but rather compensation for his expertise and a gesture of goodwill.

However, the court found Tu Anh's defense unpersuasive. The judges pointed out that at the time of the alleged offenses, Tu Anh held a position as deputy head and was also the head of an appraisal team. Guiding facilities to comply with regulations was part of his official duties. The court concluded that accepting money from the facilities being appraised, regardless of whether it was labeled as consultation fees or tokens of appreciation, constituted a violation of the law.

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The money they transferred was actually for 'professional guidance,' and 'I only accepted because I was so respected by my colleagues.'