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Fiji’s health ministry officials have warned private medical practitioners in urban areas to refrain from giving medicine to patients as this was the task for the pharmacies.
The warning comes after private medical practitioners were found to be dispensing medication to patients.
Health minister Dr Neil Sharma told FijiLive doctors should only be checking patients and pharmacists should be dispensing the medicine.
“With doctors dispensing medicines and pharmacists prescribing them, who will be responsible if somebody dies as a result,” he said.
Sharma said the only time private medical practitioners can dispense medicines is after hours when pharmacies are closed or for overnight medication only.
He stressed those found not following the guidelines could find themselves deregistered from practicing.
Health spokesperson Iliesa Tora said doctors attending to patients after hours should advice their patients to collect the balance of the medication from the nearest pharmacy the next day.
“Rural and isolated medical practitioners are allowed to dispense medicine provided the nearest pharmacy is further than five kilometers,” Tora said.
He urged the public to lodge complaints with the Consumer Council of Fiji, Price and Incomes Board and the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of the Ministry of Health if medical practitioners continue to practice in this way.
