A pharmacist who allowed an electrician to dispense medicines over the counter was one of several struck off recently, the Ministry of Health has confirmed.

A number of pharmacists faced terminated licences and fines after committing violations, health ministry officials announced. 

The Pharmaceutical Violations Committee of the Ministry of Health held its second meeting of the year under the chairmanship of Dr. Mohammed bin Hamdan Al Rubaie, Director General of Pharmacy and Drug Control and Chairman of the Committee, to consider violations committed by pharmaceutical companies and pharmacists working in the country.

The penalties imposed by the committee included warnings and fines ranging from OMR500 to OMR1000.

But some were struck off for life. A pharmacist operating in the North Batinah Governorate had allowed an electrician to work at the pharmacy and to dispense medicine to customers during the absence of the pharmacist.

The committee also decided to cancel the license of a pharmacist in the Governorate of Dakhiliyah. The pharmacist will not be allowed to practice the profession of pharmacy in the Sultanate because he was found to store medicine in a building under construction, which was unauthorised and did not meet the health and technical requirements for the preservation of medicines.

The committee additionally imposed a fine of OMR1000 each on a male and female pharmacist. The male pharmacist, based in South Batinah Governorate, had set up a car belonging to the pharmacy and used it to store medicines in unsuitable conditions.

The female pharmacist worked in a pharmacy located in the Dhofar Governorate, and had dispensed antibiotics without a prescription. She was also absent from appearing in front of the committee for two consecutive meetings.

A fine of OMR750 each was imposed on a drug store in Dhofar Governorate and a pharmacist working in North Al Batinah Governorate, for dispensing antibiotics without a prescription, in addition to having expired medicines among the medicines for sale.

The Ministry of Health appeals to all citizens and residents of the Sultanate not to hesitate to report any irregularities or illegal practices by any pharmaceutical institution.

The Ministry of Health appeals to everyone not to request any antibiotics from pharmacies without a prescription, in order to ensure the health and safety of the community, and commit to obtaining medicines after consulting with a doctor and receiving a prescription.

Source: Timesofoman