GA-FDD launches investigation into suspected retailing of illegal drug

The Government Analyst Food and Drug Department (GA-FDD) is currently investigating a local pharmacist who is reportedly conducting a clandestine operation of reselling an untested drug.

The said drug is being sold over the counter at several pharmacies and is said to be used for stomach ailments.
“The items have to do with those persons who are suffering from stomach ailment and they would have to use an antacid for ease, that is the line of product [that] is alleged to being counterfeited” GA-FDD’s Director, Marlon Cole told media operatives on the sidelines of a food handlers’ seminar on Thursday.
According to Cole, the released drug had not been tested for safety, efficacy or quality and as such, the public is being cautioned.
“We have since visited a number of retail pharmacies where we have encountered the product but we are now to trace it back to the same individual, we only know of his location and where he operates from” Cole revealed.
“For all we know, this might be an individual who is buying products from other parts of the world, bring it here and selling. It is leaning on hearsay currently but we need to get to the specifics but the allegation is out there and we need to be responsive and act” Cole further explained.
Presently, the GA-FDD is attempting to trace the drug with the use of the batch number on the product’s label.
“It would depend on if the person has a mini-lab in his or her home, photocopy some labels, buy some bottles, paste on the labels, do a concoction and releasing it on the market. What could help is tracing the item through the batch number but if that cannot be done then we would know but all of that is yet to be determined” the Director stated.
However, proprietors offering the product are also being forewarned about penalties attached to selling the untraceable drug. Cole noted that it is mandated that all drugs be traced back to the manufacturers.
If found to be involved in illegality, the individual(s) can expect to be taken before the court to be prosecuted.
“The penalty would be we would have to take the individual to court as it relates to legal action. Prosecution, we have penalties – 30 something thousand dollars and 6 months’ imprisonment”.