A new light on the community health fund--effective political support for a community essential drug project in Vietnam.

This report sheds new light on the development of a community health fund through the implementation of a community essential drug project, and its impact on the improvement of primary health care at the community level. The experience of community drug funds in Vietnam, supported by a strong government commitment, in which full delegation of authority on the management of drugs and finances is given to the community along with a measure for tax exemptions for drug fund revenues, provides a significant example of an autonomous community with active participation of people and effective resource mobilization, that is leading to the improvement of community health.