Jordan pharmacy closures on the up

The Jordanian government closed down 75 pharmacies out of 304 that were found guilty of violating the law in 2009, according to a report on the Zawya.com news service, which points out that the number of closures has accelerated although the total number of transgressions declined.

In 2008 there were 14 closures among 400 documented violations, and the increase in 2009 has been attributed to a higher number of inspections by the Jordan Food and Drug Administration (JFDA).

The closures were ordered for a range of offences, including operating without a licensed pharmacist and selling illegal medicines, including smuggled and counterfeit medicines.

In 2008 Jordan tightened up its public health law to increase the fines for selling counterfeit drugs to 5,000-10,000 Jordanian dollars (around $7,500-$15,000).