Dr Than Htut said all the 25 pharmacies which were sued also did not have valid licenses to sell medicines and medical products. Last year, the FDA sued 99 pharmacies for the same violations.
“It is big amount. Every township in Myanmar has substandard, falsified and illegal medical products entering the market,” he told reporters Saturday during an exhibition which showed the risks of using substandard medical products held at the Tatmadaw Exhibition Hall in Yangon from July 29 to 30.
The FDA is advising people to ensure that the medication they buy in pharmacies bear a Myanmar Registration Number and that it has not passed its expiry date.
“Some pharmacies sell expired medicines as compounded medicines, which could lead to drug resistance or to life-threatening negative reactions,” said Dr Thet Khaing Win, Permanent Sectary of Ministry of Health and Sports.
“People should buy and take medicines only in consultation with medical professionals,” he added.
Pharmacies are prohibited from selling unregulated drugs, including expired products. Pharmacies are permitted to sell only licensed drugs and must have a systematic storage system, a pharmacy license and a normal regulated-drugs license.
Stores found to be selling drugs without the required licenses will be charged under the drug law, which does not allow for any bail.
According to the National Drug Law, Offences and Penalties in section 18, whoever violates any provision of section 15 shall, on conviction, be punished with fine which may extend from a minimum of K50,000 to a maximum of K500,000 or with up to seven years imprisonment or both.
Source: Myanmar Times
