Keeping high street drugs safe

Published on 24/01/2009 18:46

ON BEHALF of Community Pharmacy Scotland, which represents the owners of Scotland's 1,205 community pharmacies, I want to provide the strongest possible reassurance to the public over the quality and provenance of medicines sold over the counter and dispensed against NHS prescriptions in community pharmacies across Scotland.

The article 'Triads target high street chemists as fake medicines racket moves up a gear' (January 18) claimed that counterfeit drugs peddled by criminals were making it on to pharmacy shelves.

Pharmacies are required to operate to the highest standards and to ensure that all medicines are genuine and sourced from licensed suppliers. All community pharmacists purchase medicines from licensed wholesalers and licensed pharmaceutical manufacturers, and all of those stakeholders involved in the medicines supply chain strive to keep the distribution network secure and protected. The public should therefore be confident that the medicines they purchase and receive on prescription from their local community pharmacies are genuine medicines.

Community Pharmacy Scotland recognises that the medicines supply chain is constantly under threat from counterfeiters. It is vital that everyone involved in the distribution and supply of medicines works together with the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Authority and other authorities to ensure the integrity of medicines and the safety of patients.

Alex MacKinnon, Community Pharmacy Scotland, Edinburgh