Vietnamese President Visits Pfizer in US, Discusses Pharmaceutical Supply and R&D Cooperation

Vietnamese President To Lam visited the US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer in New York on September 22 (local time) as part of his working trip to attend the 81st session of the UN General Assembly's high-level general debate and conduct bilateral activities in the United States. During the visit, discussions likely focused on ensuring a stable supply of medicines to the Vietnamese people and strengthening cooperation in research and development. Vietnam has been working to expand its universal health coverage and modernize its healthcare infrastructure, making improved access to high-quality medicines a key priority. This engagement is seen as an indication of Vietnam's commitment to deepening international cooperation, particularly in enhancing technological collaboration and supply chains within the healthcare sector. Strengthening ties with global pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer could potentially boost domestic drug manufacturing capabilities and facilitate the introduction of advanced treatments in Vietnam. While Vietnam continues its economic growth under a one-party system, improving the health and well-being of its citizens is crucial for social stability and sustainable development. The strengthening of public health systems has become an urgent task, especially following the experiences of the pandemic. Furthermore, Vietnam, while having strong economic ties with China, is also seeking to bolster its relationships with Western countries, including the United States, to maintain geopolitical balance. This visit to Pfizer can be viewed as part of such foreign policy initiatives.