Wednesday, May 14 2008

INCUMBENT president of the Pharmacy Board Andrew Rahaman said the reason why action has never been taken against unlicenced dealers in pharmaceuticals as well as pharmacies purchasing pharmaceuticals from them was because of the absence of evidence and reports from pharmacists.

A story carried in Monday’s Newsday reported that suitcase traders were selling pharmaceuticals to pharmacies. A few pharmacies admitted to buying items when stock was not available from authorised dealers.

In an interview yesterday, Rahaman said disciplinary action can be taken against pharmacies involved in purchasing from these dealers, Rahaman said an enquiry could take place under Section 20 of the Pharmacy Board Act. Based on the findings if the pharmacist is found guilty of poor conduct, the council of the Board has the power to censure, reprimand, suspend a pharmacist or strike their name off the register. He said the council can also refer persons to the Food and Drugs Division for action under the Food and Drugs Act.

Rahaman said the Board did not have inspectors and the Food and Drugs Division did not have the manpower to police the 240 pharmacies in TT. However, he said the surveillance at the ports of entry could be tightened.

Rahaman said there were thousands of items in pharmacies, some might be legally sourced and others illegally sourced. “Once it passes the port of entry it has the potential to be distributed at 240 places,” he said.

He said the board could get reports from pharmacies but this was not happening because some were benefiting from the cheaper cost of items from the unlicensed dealers. He said tip-offs on specific importers could assist Food and Drugs to target its surveillance.

Rahaman said the Food and Drugs Division usually checked pharmacies’ register of controlled drugs but did not police for other items.