Pharmacist – Dr. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Tram
Last year, Thien Duoc Company was recognized as “Trusted Brand 2012” by Vietnam Enterprise Institute in collaboration with some organizations such as Trade Promotion Agency (the Ministry of Commerce), AQA-SEA (USA), Southeast Asia Quality Assessors, NQA (UK), Global Manager Group (USA).
Not stop at success of Crinum latifolium L., Thien Duoc continues new plans in the invention of safe and quality medicines and supplements from Vietnamese herbs. Here is Dr. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Tram’s speech of this matter.
Can you tell us what standards your company has to satisfy to be recognized as Trusted Brand?
We’re so proud of being one of the pharmaceutical enterprises honored as Trusted Brand and certified as an enterprise in science and technology. To achieve this, our company has to meet strict standards in terms of enterprise’s legal basis and regulations of intellectual property protection such as Crila was granted a certificate of proprietary utility solution; the work "Research of genetic polymorphism of Crinum latifolium L. varieties (7 varieties) and identification of distinct genetic characteristics of Vietnamese Crinum latifolium L. used as materials for the production of Crila" was granted certificate of copyright registration by Copyright Office of Vietnam (the Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism).
With regard to quality, the product has to require prescribed standards of medicines and supplements by the Ministry of Health, international standards of quality, efficacy and quality management system. Besides that, business activities should be environment-friendly, not releasing toxic into the environment. In terms of achievements, we are also presented some awards and merits by the Ministry of Health, domestic and foreign organizations.
We can assume that we have continually tried hard to research, improve product’s quality and safety in the last many years. Apart from domestic market, we have plans to bring Crila to international market. At present, Crila capsule (for uterine fibroids and BPH) – the result of national-level project KH&CN.10.DA.17 – manufactured from clean materials under GACP-WHO succeeded in entering American market – a fastidious one with strict regulations of FDA. From that, the ability to conquer other markets is within our reach.
Developing from the Research, Development and Pharmaceutical Production CRINA Center (directly under National Phytopharma joint-stock Company No. 2), what difficulties has the company experienced and what’s advantage for today achievements, ma’am?
Thien Duoc company is established from the Research, Development and Pharmaceutical Production CRINA Center directly under National Phytopharma joint-stock Company No. 2. From a research unit with nearly 40 staff, the company has developed into an enterprise in science and technology with total 105 staff. Previous pilot workshop has developed a 18-ha-Crinum latifolium L. plantation and a factory meeting GMP, GLP, GSP – WHO criteria.
During the company’s development, we have made use of the advantages of a herbal-researching unit with experienced and trained staff. Another advantage is that I have studied Crinum latifolium L. since 1990 (when I was director of the Research Development and Pharmaceutical Production CRINA Center) till now. Hence, we have a lot of experiences and advantages in studying and expanding products from this precious medicinal plant.
However, the construction and development from a workshop into a modern medicine manufacturing factory require big cost. Meanwhile, I’m just a scientist with many difficulties in looking for financial support. Due to financial limit, product information can’t come to patients thoroughly. Many patients in far-reaching regions don’t know about Crila and other supplements by Thien Duoc Company.
In addition, it’s not a narrow gap from laboratories to mass production, needing time, modern equipment and proper parameters to extracting and formulating process.
Despite initial obstacles in finance, all staff of Thien Duoc have tried hard together in order to overcome challenges and establish a firm brand and reputation for the company.
As a female scientist and successful businesswoman, can you share your coming plans with us?
Having many years of research career, I’m involved in technological transfer for production and commercialization of my researched products due to practical demand. In my opinion, the important factor for my success is that the research work has been performed systematically, methodically from study of medicinal materials to extraction, formulation and clinical trials (the group of research works on Crinum latifolium L. was given national award in science and technology in 2010).
To take the initiative in providing source of quality medicinal materials, Thien Duoc company has developed a clean plantation under GACP-WHO and a factory under GMP-WHO with a team of employees knowledgeable about herbal cultivation and extraction. We also have the collaboration of many efficient co-workers in scientific research (from researching institutes and universities) with the same thought: how to create safe quality efficient products from Vietnamese herbs.
My intention is to invent new medicines from national medicinal herbs, immediately to develop products supporting cancer treatment from Crinum latifolium L. and a product for hemorrhoids named Thien Hoang Sa from Vietnamese medicinal herbs.
Thank you so much.