More than 100 enterprises from 15 countries and territories are showcasing their products at a pharmaceutical exhibition that opened in Hanoi on December 4.

On display at the 20th Vietnam International Hospital , Medical and Pharmaceutical Exhibition are laboratory and pharmaceutical items, packaging machinery, ophthalmological equipment and dental products.

The annual event also aims to introduce and promote modern products, machinery and treatment methods from advanced countries across the world.

Local enterprises will have the chance to learn about and test the latest products and technologies in the field at the expo which will run until November 6.

Vietnam now ranks 13th of 175 countries for the fastest growing in drug spending, according to the Business Monitor International – an independent provider of proprietary data, analysis, rating, and ranking.

Local pharmaceutical production only satisfied nearly half of Vietnam 's drug needs in 2012.

In 2012, Vietnam 's pharmaceutical market was worth nearly 3 billion USD, estimated to grow at a rate of more than 20 percent by 2017.-VNA