The unpredictable dangers of buying non-prescription drugs!

In Nam Phong residential group, Ky Thinh ward (Ky Anh town), a sudden death has just occurred at a functional food business establishment. Accordingly, at 7:30 a.m. on April 11, 2025, Ms. LTX residing in Canh Truong residential group, Ky Thinh ward went to the establishment of Ms. Le Thi Duy (Nam Phong residential group, Ky Thinh ward) to buy medicine with the following symptoms: cough, phlegm, runny nose, chills.

Ms. Le Thi Duy sold the following drugs to Ms. LTX: Amoxicillin 500mg; Loratadin 10mg; Terpin codein; Alpha choay; Paracetamol 500mg. After receiving the drugs, Ms. LTX took the drugs at the counter: 2 Amoxicillin 500mg tablets, 2 Loratadin 10mg tablets, 2 Terpin codein tablets, 1 Alpha choay tablet, 1 Paracetamol 500mg tablet. Immediately after taking the drugs, Ms. LTX showed symptoms of itching, red rash and died at the facility at 7:45 am.

The authorities proceeded to record the incident at the functional food business of Ms. Le Thi Duy.

The incident sounded the alarm about the dangers when people arbitrarily buy drugs without following doctors' instructions.

In fact, people buying medicine without a doctor's prescription is common. When having health problems, instead of going to a medical facility to be examined and prescribed by a doctor, many people go to pharmacies to report their symptoms to buy medicine. It is worth mentioning that not only common medicines such as fever reducers, pain relievers, coughs, runny noses, flu... but also many types of antibiotics, including medicines that are required to be sold with a prescription, are still sold freely by pharmacies to people. Not only do drug buyers not understand the harmful effects of using drugs without a doctor's prescription, but drug sellers are also arbitrary, just listening to the buyer's description of the symptoms of the disease and selling them without complying with the regulations on prescription and drug sales.

The whole province currently has more than 1,000 drug retail establishments that have been assessed and licensed to operate by the Department of Health.

Doctor Nguyen Ba Trong - Head of the Examination Department (Provincial General Hospital) said: "If the disease is not properly diagnosed and diagnosed, the purchase of medication will not be effective. Without a prescription, there will be no basis for taking the correct dosage, time, foods to avoid, and contraindications to the medication, which can easily lead to risks due to side effects from the medication. Not to mention that prolonged treatment at home for the wrong disease will cause many complications that seriously affect the patient's health, causing economic costs."

According to warnings from medical experts, drug allergies can cause symptoms such as itching, hives, swelling, difficulty breathing... even very severe, directly threatening the patient's life. In particular, anaphylactic shock is the most severe case of antibiotic allergy, leading to difficulty breathing, low blood pressure, circulatory collapse and death occurring within minutes if not treated properly and promptly.

Health Department authorities inspect a drug business in 2024. Photo: Archive.

It is known that in recent times, the Ha Tinh Health sector has implemented many synchronous solutions to strengthen the management of pharmaceutical practice in the province. The whole province currently has more than 1,000 drug retail establishments that have been assessed and licensed by the Department of Health to operate in accordance with legal regulations. The granting of certificates of eligibility for pharmaceutical business and pharmaceutical practice certificates is strictly implemented, ensuring requirements on expertise, facilities and drug storage conditions. All establishments are periodically re-assessed every 3 years to maintain the quality of practice.

In addition, 100% of drug retail establishments in the area have connected to the national drug management system and the electronic prescription system. This helps to effectively monitor prescription and prescription drug sales, contributing to limiting the situation of uncontrolled drug sales. The industry also focuses on propaganda, training, dissemination of legal regulations and professional knowledge for individuals practicing pharmacy, while raising public awareness of safe and proper drug use.

In particular, inspection, supervision and handling of violations have been strengthened. In 2024, the Department of Health inspected 170 establishments and handled 20 establishments for violations with a total fine of 50 million VND. Violations such as selling drugs of unknown origin, without a practice certificate, or selling prescription drugs without a prescription are all strictly handled to ensure deterrence and protect public health.

People need to get into the habit of buying medicine according to doctors' prescriptions.

However, according to Deputy Director of the Department of Health Bui Quoc Hung, the management of pharmaceutical practice in the province is still facing some difficulties such as: the number of large drug businesses while the management staff is still small; the shortage of university pharmacists in some areas; some establishments have not strictly complied with legal regulations in selling drugs, especially in remote areas. Notably, the awareness of a part of the people about the use of drugs is still limited. There is still the habit of arbitrarily buying drugs based on advice, without medical examination.

For people with abnormal health symptoms, they should go to a medical facility to be examined by a doctor and prescribed appropriate medication. Absolutely do not arbitrarily buy and use drugs based on word of mouth or without a doctor's prescription. Only buy drugs at establishments licensed by the Department of Health, with publicly posted business eligibility certificates and practice certificates.

For pharmaceutical establishments, it is necessary to fully comply with legal regulations on conditions for practicing and trading in drugs. Do not sell drugs without a valid prescription from a doctor. Ensure that the person directly selling drugs must have appropriate professional qualifications, be granted a practice certificate and regularly update knowledge.

Ha Tinh Health Sector will continue to strengthen management and supervision, while promoting communication to raise public awareness, gradually building a safe and transparent pharmaceutical business environment.

Mr. Bui Quoc Hung - Deputy Director of Department of Health

Source: https://baohatinh.vn/nguy-hiem-khon-luong-tu-viec-mua-thuoc-khong-ke-don-post286047.html