Vietnam’s Ministry of Health has officially approved the registration of Pembroria, a Russian-developed anti-cancer drug containing the active ingredient pembrolizumab, for three-year circulation in the country.
The decision, signed under Decision No. 628/QĐ-QLD by Drug Administration of Vietnam (DAV) Director Vũ Tuấn Cường on October 31, also includes 13 other vaccines and biological products.
Manufactured by Russia’s Limited Liability “PK-137” and registered via a United Arab Emirates–based firm, Pembroria is a concentrated solution for intravenous infusion (100mg/4ml) with a shelf life of 24 months. The drug is used in treating over 14 types of cancer, including lung, melanoma, colorectal, cervical, renal, and breast cancers — diseases that continue to pose a major health challenge in Vietnam.
According to the GLOBOCAN 2022 report, Vietnam recorded approximately 180,480 new cancer cases and 120,184 deaths nationwide, making cancer a leading cause of mortality. The arrival of new-generation immunotherapy drugs such as pembrolizumab is therefore seen as a critical step toward expanding treatment options.
Prof. Dr. Lê Văn Quảng, Director of K Hospital in Hanoi, confirmed that Pembroria will soon be introduced into treatment protocols.
“This drug offers a promising addition to our cancer therapy portfolio, though it is not yet covered by health insurance,” he told Tiền Phong newspaper.
The Ministry of Health has instructed manufacturers and registrants to comply with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards and to report any changes in production or certification status. Companies must also monitor the drug’s safety and efficacy among Vietnamese patients and submit regular updates on adverse reactions.
Currently priced at around VNĐ18 million (US$580) per bottle, Pembroria typically requires two bottles per treatment course, representing a significant but potentially life-extending option for cancer patients in Vietnam.
