Hanoi Court Returns Bribery Case Involving 686 Pharmacies and Clinics for Further Investigation

Hanoi's People's Court has sent back a major corruption case involving alleged bribery by 686 pharmacies and clinics seeking operating licenses. The court decided to return the case file for supplementary investigation, indicating that crucial details remain unclear before a trial can proceed.

The case centers on 16 defendants, including former officials from the Hanoi Department of Health. They face charges of accepting bribes and acting as intermediaries for bribery. Among the accused are former heads and deputy heads of the department's private medical and pharmaceutical practice management division, along with other staff and individuals who allegedly facilitated the illicit dealings.

According to the indictment, from 2019 to 2024, these officials allegedly exploited their positions to expedite license approvals or overlook violations for a fee. The prosecution claims that bribes, ranging from 15 to 20 million Vietnamese dong for pharmacies and up to 60-70 million dong for clinics, were funneled through intermediaries. Approximately 8.67 billion dong in total was reportedly collected from the 686 establishments, with over 3.8 billion dong allegedly paid to Hanoi health officials.