A recent investigation in Flacq, Mauritius, has uncovered a troubling situation where a pharmacy, whose license to operate has been revoked, continues to sell medications. According to sources close to the authorities, the establishment in question is no longer authorized to sell medications. However, an undercover purchase made at the pharmacy revealed that it is still possible to buy medications there without any issues.
This is not the first time the pharmacy has faced scrutiny. On February 10, 2015, officers from the Anti-Drug and Smuggling Unit (ADSU) conducted an inspection at the premises, leading to seven charges under the Dangerous Drugs Act against the pharmacist. The charges included not properly recording transactions related to the acquisition and sale of dangerous drugs between January and February 2015. Although the pharmacist acknowledged discrepancies in the stock, she was acquitted by the district court of Flacq due to insufficient evidence.
Despite the previous case being dismissed, the current situation raises more concerns. The revoked license implies that the pharmacy is no longer authorized to sell medications that require such a license. However, it may still sell products that do not require this authorization, such as herbal remedies, beauty products, or paramedical items. An undercover purchase made at the pharmacy confirmed that medications are still being sold, and a receipt was issued with the name and coordinates of another pharmacy.
A closer examination of the receipt revealed significant anomalies. The document did not match the usual format of the other pharmacy's receipts and lacked specific references to identify the transaction. It appears to be a reproduced receipt with the name and stamp of the pharmacy whose license was revoked, but without the same characteristics or references as the original receipts. The origin and use of such documents in another business require explanation.
According to information gathered, the owner of the pharmacy in question had previously worked as a pharmacist at the other establishment, which could have given her access to such documents. The responsible party of the pharmacy whose name appears on the receipt claims to have never authorized the use of their name, coordinates, stamp, or receipts for transactions at the other pharmacy. They discovered the situation after receiving calls from people inquiring about products they thought they had purchased at their establishment.
Despite the responsible party filing a complaint with the police and informing competent authorities, the situation persists. The undercover purchase demonstrated that a document bearing the name of the other pharmacy was still being used after a transaction at the pharmacy with the revoked license. This raises questions about the sale of medications at this establishment, the use of receipts bearing another business's identity, and the presence of a qualified pharmacist.
The incident highlights the need for stricter controls and monitoring of pharmacies, especially those with revoked licenses. Authorities must investigate the source of the medications being sold and the authenticity of the receipts issued. The public also needs to be aware of the potential risks associated with purchasing medications from establishments that may not be operating within the law.
Key points
- A pharmacy in Flacq continues to sell medications despite having its license revoked.
- The pharmacy issues receipts bearing the name of another establishment.
- Authorities must investigate the source of medications and authenticity of receipts.
