HRH the Premier orders tighter control on drug dispensing

TDT | Manama

His Royal Highness the Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa has ordered the Ministry of Health to tighten control over the dispensing of medicines at government-funded and private pharmacies nationwide. HRH the Premier’s order aims to ensure that drugs are dispensed to the right patients with medical prescriptions, in line with the regulations in force.

HRH the Prime Minister stressed that there must be no leniency when it comes to the health and safety of citizens and residents, urging to tighten control over drug stores and ensure that the requirements of storage and sale of narcotics and controlled drugs are in place, in order to leave no loophole for weak-spirited people to manipulate them or achieve illegal gains at the expense of the health and safety of society members.

HRH the Premier gave directives to set up a committee comprising specialists to review laws and procedures governing drug dispensing mechanisms in government and private pharmacies, strengthen penalties on violators, and ensure compliance with the requirements of the laws regulating the practice of the pharmaceutical profession.

The panel shall submit its report to the Cabinet. The order is in line with HRH the Prime Minister’s keen interest in ensuring that high-quality health care is delivered to citizens and residents. It also aims to ensure commitment to the laws and protocols regulating the dispensing of medicines, in a manner that would leave no room for exploiting them, making profit from them, or wasting public funds allocated to purchasing medicines.