Ho Chi Minh City - On the 15th and 16th of August – Pfizer (Vietnam) Company Limited signed a Memorandum of Understanding on partnership with University Medical Center HCMC and Thong Nhat Hospital to implement the Antimicrobial Management Stewardship (AMS) program and enhance awareness among healthcare professionals about the burden of infectious diseases, the increase of antimicrobial resistance and the role of preventive vaccination.

The collaboration between the UMC HCMC and Pfizer aims to enhance the management of antibiotic resistance and raise awareness of the role of preventive vaccination.

Thống Nhất Hospital and Pfizer Vietnam jointly signed a MOU on Antimicrobial Stewardship at the ceremony

Through the partnerships with two major hospitals in HCMC, Pfizer fortifies efforts to advance awareness and improve antimicrobial resistance management, in line with the National Strategy on Antimicrobial Resistance Prevention and Control goals for 2023-2030, with a vision to 2045.

The partnerships encompass the following key initiatives: Collaboration in organizing and deploying scientific conferences; AMS training programs of hospitals; Support the implementation of the AMS program to hospitals; Antimicrobial Resistance awareness increase and AMS surveillance. Besides that, the program also reinforces the roles of anti-infective vaccines for high-risk patient groups (chronic lung disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, liver and kidney disease, etc.) through collaborated programs: Implementation of community education programs to raise awareness about vaccination against infectious diseases; Training Program on Immunization Safety.

The World Health Organization (WHO) considers antimicrobial resistance (AMR) a major threat to global health, posing a significant burden on patients, their caregivers, the economy, and the healthcare system. This is caused by the overuse or noncompliance with treatment guidelines of antimicrobials, especially antibiotics in healthcare, livestock management, and environmental sanitation practice, resulting in the formation of "superbugs" that are becoming increasingly resistant to antimicrobial treatments. Consequently, these antibiotics gradually lose efficacy, necessitating more extensive, costly, and longer hospitalization or treatment duration. According to WHO estimates, AMR causes 5 million deaths each year. Vietnam is among the top countries listed by WHO with alarming rate of antimicrobial resistance, highlighting the urgent need for effective solutions.

Limiting the emergence and spread of drug-resistant pathogens are crucial to maintaining the ability to treat diseases in humans, animals, and plants, reducing health risks, ensuring food security, and sustaining progress toward the WHO Sustainable Development Goals.
In response to the growing complexity of antimicrobial resistance, Pfizer Vietnam has taken a leading role in collaborating with Vietnamese medical agencies. Over the years, Pfizer Vietnam has contributed to antibiotic stewardship programs, forming close partnerships with national medical associations and frontline hospitals across the country to raise awareness and enhance antibiotic stewardship processes.

Associate Professor, PhD MD Le Dinh Thanh, Director of Thong Nhat Hospital

Associate Professor, PhD MD Le Dinh Thanh, Director of Thong Nhat Hospital highly appreciated Pfizer's initiative and coordination in implementing AMS. “The two parties agreed that this is a comprehensive collaboration program with precise planning that will take advantage of Pfizer and Thong Nhat Hospital in the initiatives to be implemented. We hope that this collaboration will set a solid platform for raising awareness and achieving stricter compliance with antibiotic use indications in the healthcare system and community”, said Dr Le Dinh Thanh.
With University Medical Center HCMC, the partnership also aims to help address Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) - the fourth leading cause of death globally3 especially caused by Pneumococcus, one of the most common causes of acquired pneumonia4 currently. Vietnam is one of 15 countries worldwide bearing a high burden of pneumococcal pneumonia, with a mortality rate of up to 50% for all ages5.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Hoang Dinh - Deputy Director of University Medical Center HCMC

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Hoang Dinh - Deputy Director of University Medical Center HCMC said: "In the context of increasingly complex and challenging infectious diseases, strategic cooperation between our hospital and Pfizer is essential. We appreciate Pfizer's support in providing scientific solutions and practical experience to implement antibiotic management programs, combat antimicrobial resistance, and raise public awareness about infectious diseases. We hope that our close collaboration with Pfizer in training, research, and updating knowledge on the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases will foster meaningful and lasting benefits for the community."

The General Director of Pfizer Vietnam, Mr. Darrell Oh at the signing ceremonies

Mr. Darrell Oh, General Director of Pfizer Vietnam shared: “The collaboration with Thong Nhat Hospital and University Medical Center in Ho Chi Minh City Hospital reaffirms Pfizer's long-term strategic commitment to cooperating with Vietnamese healthcare sector to address critical challenges like respiratory infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance.  Pfizer has understood over the years that to overcome this problem requires multilateral cooperation in raising awareness with the motto that prevention is better than cure, building an effective drug management system, combined with research and development of advanced drugs and vaccine solutions. Pfizer strives to contribute our worldwide expertise and experience through strategic partnerships to protect the health of millions of Vietnamese people.".