Bill passed to ensure pharmacies and pharmacists are annually certified by the Pharmaceutical Board

The Pharmacy Profession Amendment Bill to have all pharmacies and pharmacists certified annually by the Pharmaceutical Board has been passed in parliament.

Minister for Health, Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete says the amendment ensures that pharmacies operate in an environment that promotes quality and affordable pharmacy services which will benefit the people.

Dr Waqainabete says another motive of this amendment is to hold the pharmacies accountable and transparent on a yearly basis.

National Federation Party Leader, Professor Biman Prasad says he has no issues with regulating the pharmacists or pharmacy owners and it is important that this is done.

However Prasad says one of the things people raise is the unavailability of some drugs supplied by government pharmacies and the doctors who stock basic medicine in their surgeries are saying that it is difficult to get the supply.

Responding to Prasad, Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says they are talking to the Ministry of Health to try and source drugs from other sources as long as they have the various certifications.