People in Rabaul District of the East New Britain (ENB) province must not purchase or consume any medical drugs that are sold by street vendors or any unauthorized person.
This was the call made during the awareness on the illegal sales of medical drugs and its effects, which was conducted recently by the ENB Provincial Authority in the 4 Local Level Governments of the Rabaul district.
Speaking during the awareness at Tavui No.1 of Balanataman LLG was the District Health Coordinator Mr. Garry Mano, who highlighted some of the effects of taking medicine sold by street vendors or from unauthorized distributors.
Mano said that when people buy from street vendors, they are putting their lives at risk and others who will be taking the medicine.
“These people are unregistered or do not have a license to be selling drugs. Some of the medicine could be expired or fake and even not stored in the right temperature, so stop buying from them.”
The District Health Coordinator further said that antibiotics are not the correct choice for all infections.
He said that currently street sales for amoxicillin are K2 per packet of 4 capsules and added that this is not the right dosage for amoxicillin.
“The right dose for amoxicillin is 15 capsules, when you buy less than that, you are being under-dosed. The more you misuse and overuse antibiotics, the more the risk you have at developing drug resistant bacteria.”
He added that people must only get their medication prescribed by qualified health workers and not just anyone trying to make some quick cash by selling medical drugs on the streets.
Meanwhile, Rabaul District Administrator Mr. Benedict Mode said that the illegal sales of medical drugs have been an on-going issue and added that there might be workers in the Area Medical Stores (AMS) that are accessing and distributing to street vendors.
“The AMS supplied drugs are procured only by the Government of PNG through the Medical Supplies Branch. Each drugs have specific batch numbers and brand names,” Mode said.
The District Administrators said, interrogating vendors might lead to someone from the Health Authorities.
He added that a person caught illegally selling medical drugs can be charged under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and serve up to 12 months’ imprisonment or pay a fine of K5, 000.
The awareness continues this week covering rural communities and other targeted groups.