Pharmacies and chemists that indulge in unethical practices could face tough action, including closure of facility and scrapping of licences.
The Shura Council will debate amendments to the 1997 Pharmacy Profession and Pharmaceutical Practises Organisational Law, during its weekly session on Sunday.
The GDN earlier reported that under the revised rules, those who set up a facility or factory to sell medicines without permission, provide false information to obtain licensing from the authorities, store medicines at unauthorised locations or sell expired drugs could be punished with no less than a year in jail, fined between BD5,000 and BD10,000, or both.
Pharmacists who provide false information to secure a licence, allow others to operate using their name, or illegally trade in medicines would be jailed for no less than two months, fined between BD3,000 and BD10,000, or both, under changes to the law.
Import and distribution of medicines without informing the authorities, or hiding of drugs, could lead to fines of between BD5,000 and BD10,000.
Licences of violating pharmacists could also be suspended for a year or terminated depending on the crime.
Poorly run drug stores could be issued a warning or face closure for up to a year. Severe violations could lead to scrapping of the licence, with the owners and partners prevented from opening new businesses for up to five years.
Members of the Supreme Council of Health (SCE), during a meeting with the Shura Council’s services committee this week, had stressed the need for tough action on violators.
“Partially controlled medicines like cough syrups are being sold randomly and misused by people. We hope the new system to track prescriptions would make it easier to monitor the sale of drugs,” they said.
“The new tracking system, through which authorities are notified about dispensed medicines, is already implemented in The UAE.
“The amendments will also differentiate between pharmacies, warehouses and factories and ensure that crimes at all levels are dealt with seriously.”
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