Rarely does a pharmacist manage their own pharmacy in Syria, as most specialists live abroad and rent their licenses to operate to those who are willing to pay, regardless of their level of education.
People who lack a secondary school education can manage a pharmacy, prescribe medication, and change drugs into others without any medical experience.
A recent law allowed pharmacies to raise the price of medication by 57 percent. Most locally manufactured medications like those for allergies, heart disease and high cholesterol saw a rise between 30-70 percent, while expensive imported medicine saw a price rise of up to 40 percent.
A university student who manages a pharmacy reported to Iqtissad that most pharmacies have stopped distributing medicine while they wait for a new price increase.
Amid the corruption and lack of oversight, anyone with money can enter into the field of medicine and pharmacology.
This article was edited by The Syrian Observer. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
