Singapore - Consumer details to be recorded for pharmacy-bought medicines

In an attempt to protect consumers, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has announced that pharmacists are to record customers' details when they buy certain types of drug without prescriptions.

From February 1, consumers are to provide pharmacists with their name, identity card number and contact details.

This includes customers of allergy relief medicine Zyrtec and cough lozenges Tussils.

Pharmacists are also required to record the name, dosage, quantity and purpose of buying the drug.

This is to facilitate communication in case there are issues about the use and quality of the drugs, or in the event of a drug recall.

The Straits Times today reported that this is the third and final phase of the HSA's move to introduce mandatory record keeping by pharmacists.

In April last year, it was made compulsory that a record be kept for painkillers and dental pastes containing triamcinolone.

Six months later, in October, keeping records of purchases of drugs such as hair-growth restorer minoxidil became mandatory.

According to the national daily, major pharmacy outlets Guardian, Watsons and NTUC Unity Health care have planned or already implemented electronic systems in support of the new ruling.

The electronic system will allow a purchase record made at one outlet to be viewed online by pharmacists at all other outlets of the same retailer.

Asia One

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