Doctors must monitor meds

I WRITE in response to the article, “Poisons (Amendment) Bill deferred to next year” (The Star, Dec 6; online at bit.ly/star_defer): “The proposed amendments sought to criminalise private doctors, dental surgeons and veterinarians with a maximum fine of RM 50,000 or up to five years’ jail or both, should they refuse to provide prescription slips.”

Even before this Bill was proposed, several pharmacies, especially chain pharmacies (or pharmacies operating in chains), are already dispensing antidepressants and antipsychotic medications, with impunity. My patients told me that they have easy access to many psychiatric drugs, and only saw me when they needed medications which were not available at the pharmacies.