Statement from Digital Economy and Health Activists in Response to the Recent Presidential Letter on Pharmaceutical Platforms

Following the recent letter issued by the Office of the President addressed to the Minister of Communications and Information Technology, requesting cooperation with the Minister of Health regarding pharmaceutical service platforms, several key points are presented by activists and specialized bodies in the fields of digital economy and digital health to clarify public understanding and guide policy adjustments:

Firstly, the addressing of the Minister of Communications in this official correspondence reaffirms the pivotal role of the Ministry of Communications and the Ministry of Economy in advancing the country’s digital economy. As the head of the Special Digital Economy Task Force, the Ministry of Communications is responsible for planning and implementing digital economy policies within the Seventh Development Plan. This letter underscores that intelligent pharmaceutical delivery is not merely a sectoral or healthcare issue but part of the broader framework of economic, social, and digital transformation, where the Ministry of Communications must play an active and effective role.

At the same time, we unequivocally recognize the Ministry of Health and Medical Education as the legitimate authority overseeing the national healthcare system. In areas such as drafting pharmaceutical guidelines, technical regulations, and care systems, the Ministry of Health holds undeniable and definitive jurisdiction.

However, over the past thirteen months, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)—a subordinate body of the Ministry—has yet to fully implement its legal obligations outlined in Clause 1, Article 2 of the “Guidelines for the Supply and Transport of Medicines via Platforms.” This delay has hindered the FDA’s key regulatory role in digital pharmaceutical delivery.

Instead of fulfilling its legal responsibility to develop and enforce clear, health-oriented technical standards for pharmaceutical platforms, the FDA has unfortunately pursued a path of restriction, issuing prohibitive directives and creating an atmosphere of uncertainty.

This contradictory behavior, coupled with inaction on the approved guidelines, has caused confusion among patients, blocked the activities of health technology businesses, and created instability for investors in this strategic sector. Such conditions not only obstruct the development of digital health infrastructure but also threaten citizens’ equitable access to medicines and up-to-date medical services.

It is important to note that the presidential office’s letter was initially met with some incorrect and at times intentionally misleading interpretations by certain parties. Regrettably, the letter was circulated to the media and presented with a distorted understanding inconsistent with its overall intent. We call on all media professionals and audiences to reassess their initial readings and help clarify the true nature of the matter.

We hope the Minister of Health, considering all aspects, on-the-ground realities, and legal capacities, will review the current path taken by the Food and Drug Administration and proceed based on the principles of rule of law, health equity, and national development.

We remind that intelligent pharmaceutical delivery today forms an integral part of the country’s broader development vision. The President has repeatedly emphasized the goal of achieving a 10% share of the digital economy in the country’s GDP—a goal unattainable without the active participation of the private sector, leveraging technological capacities, and strengthening digital health infrastructure.

Ignoring the expertise and capacities of specialized institutions and active players in the health technology ecosystem will not go unanswered. Those engaged in this sector, relying on their knowledge, practical experience, and investments made in recent years, expect the government to utilize collective wisdom in policymaking and to seriously consider the expert voices of the professional community.

This statement is issued not out of confrontation but from a sense of responsibility and advocacy. Should the current trajectory remain unchanged, the expert community, patients, and private sector activists will be compelled to use civil tools and public opinion capacities to protect citizens’ rights, public health, and the country’s digital economy.

Our approach is transparent, responsible, and demand-oriented—supporting constructive dialogue, rule of law, and genuine participation in digital governance. Nevertheless, ignoring specialized expertise, disregarding investments in the health technology ecosystem, and continuing non-expert-driven policies will inevitably provoke a serious reaction from the active community. If no correction is made, mobilizing public opinion, civil institutions, and legal channels to safeguard the rights of patients, entrepreneurs, and the future of the digital economy will become unavoidable.