Phuket Pharmacy fined for illegally selling prescription drugs

PHUKET: A pharmacy in Chalong faced a lot of brass yesterday as Phuket Vice Governor Somkiat Sangkaosuttirak, Damrongtham Center (Ombudsman’s Office) chief Prapan Kanprasang, Chalong Mayor Samran Jindaphol and Phuket Public Health officers followed up on allegations that the store was illegally selling prescription drugs without a pharmacist on duty.

“A local resident told our staff that the pharmacy was selling drugs that are on the Ministry of Public Health’s ‘Dangerous Drugs’ list when a pharmacist was not present,” said V/Gov Somkiat.

“Only a pharmacist can sell these drugs,” Mr Prapan explained.

The registered pharmacist for the facility is only on duty from 5pm to 8pm daily, Mr Prapan said.

“The rest of the day, staff who are not certified to sell the drugs were selling them,” he added.

The pharmacy was fined.

— Kritsada Mueanhawong