Medicine dispensation warning

Submitted by TemoL on Mon, 08/03/2010 - 1:29pm

Private medical practitioners who practice within five kilometers of a retail pharmacy are not allowed to dispense medication.

The Ministry of Health says there were reports in the past of this happening and the practise must be stopped.

“All practices within a 5 kilometer radius of a retail pharmacy should not dispense medication,” Health spokesman Iliesa Tora said.

“The only time they can dispense medicine is after hours when pharmacies are closed or for overnight medication only.

“But they must advise their patients to collect the balance of the medication from the nearest pharmacy the next day.”

Mr Tora said this policy has been relayed to the Fiji College of General Practitioners through a letter from the Minister for Health, Dr Neil Sharma.

He said the dispensing rule is clearly stipulated in the Pharmacy and Poisons Act.

For rural and isolated medical practitioners, they are allowed to dispense medicine if the pharmacy is further than the stipulated 5km distance.

But they must ensure that the following information is on the label:

1. Name of Patient

2. Name of medication and dose

3. Quantity dispensed

4. Price charged for medication

Members of the public are also advised that if they do come across medical practitioners who are not following the rules to raise their complaints with the Consumer Council of Fiji, Prices and Incomes Board and the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of the Ministry of Health.