JEDDAH: The Ministry of Health plans to crack down on pharmacies selling certain drugs without a doctor's prescription, said Dr. Sami Badawood, Director of Jeddah Health Affairs, at the weekend. This needs to be done to ensure the health of citizens, he said at a function here to observe World Health Day. “Strictly speaking and from a health point of view, buying medicines without a doctor's prescription is against the law. Therefore, we have decided to exert more effort to raise awareness to stop this practice in the Kingdom,” said Badawood. “Misuse of drugs and its resultant bad effect on the health, awareness of the side-effects of antibiotics and lack of information on health issues are our themes for this year's World Health Day,” he added. He said the Ministry of Health is currently studying new regulations for pharmacies in the Kingdom. All pharmacies will be linked electronically to limit dispensing of medicines without prescriptions, especially antibiotics, he said. Badawood said there will be sanctions against pharmacies selling drugs and antibiotics without prescription. Jeddah will soon see festivals and programs to spread awareness against this practice. Meanwhile, Dr. Sami Saleh Eid, Assistant Director at the Health Affairs of Jeddah, announced the launch of a polio campaign in Jeddah.
