CEO Insights Magazine

A nation's economic prosperity hinges not only on natural resources and geopolitics but also on the perseverance of its business leaders. Through strategic decision-making, calculated risk-taking, and thirst for innovation, they are the bedrock of progress, propelling economic growth to greater heights. These visionaries drive job creation and technological advancement, positioning their nation on a competitive edge in the international marketplace. With over 3800 startups, Vietnam boasts many such visionaries. Among the elites, Pham Linh is noteworthy for strengthening the country’s pharma sector through ORIOLED HUB - a leading pharma player specializing in marketing authorization and wholesale distribution of medicinal products. CEO Insights Asia is excited to interview him. 

Could you tell us about the factors shaping the future of the pharmaceutical industry in Vietnam and how ORIOLED HUB is contributing to the same?

The pharmaceutical industry in Vietnam is relatively nascent. However, significant economic changes have occurred over the last decade, with many free trade agreements between Vietnam and other countries supporting its growth and development. This has resulted in a lot of investment from international companies and Vietnamese people eager to explore new opportunities in the industry. Currently, many companies in the segment are focusing on meeting global standards, such as the EU GMP and the US FDA.

Our company is proud to be the only Vietnamese company to have helped a partner obtain EU GMP certification and export their products to the EU market. We continue to support our clients and plan to manufacture and develop our own products. We strive to better the industry by establishing our own R&D centers, QC labs, and an institute in association with the Ministry of Science and Technology in Vietnam. We are developing our technology platform with the government, local partners, and international collaborators. Our strategy aims to change the pharmaceutical industry in Vietnam from low-quality and cheap products to international standard products with reasonable prices. 

What are the challenges you are facing in the industry, and how do you overcome them?

We can see numerous low-quality products because companies can enter the Vietnamese market with cheap products. However, the Vietnamese market and the authority focus more on quality over low prices; we will have the opportunity to build a pharmaceutical environment that values quality and adheres to international standards.

Currently, we are providing advice to partners and pharmaceutical associations on how to operate the regulatory system and harmonize it with international standards. This will enable us to achieve the highest standards and provide proper product pricing. 

Describe your leadership approach and the guidelines you follow to lead your team.

Our company prioritizes people and technology over profit and aims to provide high-quality services to customers. We focus on education and helping employees develop their skills. We are committed to creating a sustainable working environment and investing all our profits into our company, including our products, technology, and employees. Our goal is to become a large company and become a joint stock company where every employee can become an owner of the company.

What is your vision for the company and yourself in the next five years?

We want to complete our system to provide end-toend services, from the ideas to the final product. We can design, support, train, and develop technologies, but we want to add more benefits to our system. As for myself, I will continue to learn and help the company maintain its knowledge strategy. We will also build our internal quality system to control and develop our strategy. By collaborating with international companies, we will gain more experience and support. 

ORIOLED HUB has a presence in Europe, Vietnam, and Singapore. Additionally, we are building our manufacturing facility in South Vietnam, which is expected to be completed by 2025. Our ultimate goal is to be one of the top 10 companies in Vietnam and continue expanding our business to become a large company in Asia.

Pham Linh, CEO, ORIOLED HUB

After Ho Chi Minh City Medicine and Pharmacy University graduation, Pham began his career as a pharmacist. He completed an MBA from the University of Cumbria in the UK and is pursuing doctoral studies at Golden Gate University in the US. He is also a member of EUROCHAM and the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam.