In an effort to curb drug abuse in the nation, Thai authorities have apprehended thirteen individuals posing as pharmacists during a series of synchronised raids throughout Bangkok. The arrests had been made in reference to the illicit sale of cough syrup, a vital element within the well-known and highly addictive cocktail drug 4×100.
These operations had been ordered by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and executed by the Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD) across a total of 14 pharmacies from the country’s capital. The result was the procurement of 156 pieces of proof equal to a value of 1.four million baht, reported Supoj Phumyam, chief of Consumer Protection Police Sub-division 4.
Under scrutiny for practising the profession unlicensed, the apprehended individuals largely had training solely up to the highschool level. They were subsequently discovered to be allotting medicine to customers, incomes an income of 12,000 to 18,000 baht per 30 days on common. It was unveiled that these makeshift pharmacists were stand-ins while the authorised pharmacist of the shop was absent.
More extreme costs were placed on the suspects when authorities discovered they were concerned within the illicit sale of cough syrup. This substance forms the inspiration to concoct the narcotic beverage often recognized as 4×100, infamously made from a combination of cough syrup, kratom leaves, cola, and a tranquilliser or painkiller.
The nationwide illicit cough syrup sweep was precipitated by an announcement from Thailand’s Pharmacy Council, reminding all pharmacies of the necessity to recruit at least one full-time pharmacist. Tested of the investigated pharmacies have been part of larger chains, revealed Police Colonel Supoj.
As part of the operation, authorities confiscated 24,722 bottles of cough syrup, 4,150 capsules of Tramadol, a managed substance for ache management, and numerous other medicine. A common technique amongst pharmacies to sidestep rules revolved round opening numerous branches to increase their quota of legally permissible cough syrup for sale. Each department is technically allowed to stock up to 300 bottles per thirty days, reported Bangkok Post..