Khaberni - Mahmoud Al-Qawasmi, head of the Control and Inspection Department at the Food Directorate, confirmed that the General Corporation for Food and Drug plays a vital role starting from the drug registration, and monitoring its safety, efficacy, and quality, ensuring the delivery of safe and effective medication to patients.
In a statement to "Al-Mamlaka" TV, Al-Qawasmi explained that the institution continuously monitors the medications displayed on the shelves of pharmacies and hospitals to ensure they meet the approved standards and are safe to use.
He pointed out that the number of medications dispensed without a prescription is very limited, stressing that the vast majority of medications are dispensed based on prescriptions issued by specialized doctors.
Al-Qawasmi emphasized that the institution performs periodic monitoring of pharmacies to ensure their compliance with dispensing medications by prescription only, adding that dispensing medications by a pharmacist without a prescription poses a direct risk to the patient's health.
He affirmed that medications, especially antibiotics, painkillers, sedatives, psychotropic drugs, and medical preparations, should not be dispensed without a prescription issued by a licensed doctor.
Al-Qawasmi clarified that dispensing medication by a pharmacist without a prescription constitutes a clear violation of the law, and the pharmacist bears full legal responsibility, which could lead to the closure of the pharmacy and the referral of the violator to the Public Prosecutor.
