Pharmacy raids

FORTY unlicensed pharmacies in Siem Reap province have been shut down so far this year for operating illegally and selling fake and expired drugs, provincial health officials said yesterday.

Ly Vannak, director of the drug office at the provincial health department, said that the pharmacies had not complied with a three-month notice warning them to obtain proper licences.

On Thursday, health  officials burned more than 440 types of fake and expired drugs confiscated in the closures, she added. A total of about 50,000 tablets were burned. Officials said that unlicensed pharmacies still operating in the province had until September to comply with Ministry regulations or face closure. “It will be a continuing challenge,” Ly Vannak said.