Pharmacies flouting law

Star: JOHOR BARU: Nearly a quarter of pharmacies in Johor were found to have violated pharmaceutical regulations.
The offences include selling of controlled drugs without doctor’s prescriptions, operating illegally and having unlicensed pharmacists.
Johor Local Government and Health Committee chairman Datuk Halimah Sadique (BN-Pasir Raja) said written warnings had been issued to the respective outlets.
“Action will be taken if they continue to violate the regulations,” she said in reply to a question posed by Dr Abdul Rashid Abd Mokti (BN-Sedili) at the Johor State Assembly here yesterday.
In the operations conducted, Halimah said 32 out of the 150 pharmacies checked were found to have violated pharmaceutical regulations.
Dr Abdul Rashid also proposed for the installation of CCTVs at these outlets but Halimah rejected this as it would be difficult to tell the drugs sold.
Low Teh Hian (BN-Pengkalan Rinting) proposed for the department to issue a list of drugs approved by the Health Ministry (KKM).
Halimah said all items approved would have the KKM number.
She also urged consumers to check the ingredients of a product and not be taken in by its packaging.