NNA - President of the Lebanese Pharmacists Syndicate, Dr. Joe Salloum, indicated in an issued statement on Saturday, that “the expansion of the smuggled drug trade in Lebanon has led to a decline in the import of legal medicine to almost a quarter, resulting in a decrease in the Pharmacists Syndicate’s revenues."

The statement added that in light of this situation, there is no income left for pharmacists except for the small fee deducted from medicine import, and hence the inability of pharmacies to do justice to its cadre, including pharmacists and employees, as well as retired pharmacists who receive a monthly pension which is not sufficient for a decent retirement life after long years of service.

Consequently, Salloum appealed once again to those concerned to deal seriously with the phenomenon of drug smuggling and to stop the policy of turning a blind eye to this critical matter.

"The smuggled drug, in addition to its danger to the life of the citizen and the quality of treatment, actually leads to the deprivation of the State treasury and the Pharmacists Syndicate of its basic resource," he said.

=========R.Sh.