Despite strict laws, many community pharmacies continue to dispense prescription-only medicines without a valid prescription. This practice is especially common with antibiotics, painkillers, and steroids, leading to antibiotic resistance, adverse drug reactions, and treatment failures. It also violates the Pharmacy Act and professional guidelines meant to ensure safe medication use.
Addressing this issue requires strict enforcement of regulations, pharmacist accountability, and public awareness about the risks of self-medication. Educating patients and ensuring prescription verification can help safeguard public health and strengthen trust in pharmacy practice.
What steps do you think can effectively stop pharmacies from dispensing medicines without prescriptions?
MBH/PS