BANGKOK, 26 April 2011 – The Ministry of Public Health has requested pharmacies nationwide to strictly follow the ministry’s policies in an effort to increase the number of quality drug stores.
Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanawisit asked all 17,821 pharmacies across the country to comply with the ministry’s policies, including having chemists stationed in their shops since people might need consultation prior to purchasing medicine.
In addition, pharmacies are asked to cooperate with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in denying sales of dangerous and controlled medicines if buyers have no prescription from doctors.
Meanwhile, the Thai Pharmacies Association has been requested to increase the number of quality pharmacies nationwide as the current number stands at only 3%.
In addition, pharmacies are asked to help the government suppress narcotic drug spread, especially methamphetamine, also known as Ya Ba since cold-relief medicine, containing pseudoephedrine can be used to extract Ya Ba.
Mr Jurin stated that the ministry will soon issue a ministerial regulation limiting the purchasing amount of drugs. Small pharmacies will be able to stock only 5,000 pills of the drug per month while consumers can purchase it at not more than 60 pills per month per person.
