The Lebanese Pharmacists Syndicate issued the following statement: “In light of what was circulated regarding the raid by the State Security Forces on a number of pharmacies in the city of Tripoli and the closure of one of them in the Al-Tabbaneh area, the Lebanese Pharmacists Syndicate affirms the necessity of distinguishing between licensed pharmacies that operate in accordance with applicable laws and regulations and the stores that practice pharmaceutical activity without a legal license and which cannot be considered legitimate pharmacies, and which were recently raided and closed in the Al-Tabbaneh area, falling into this category. The union stresses that pharmacists who own licensed pharmacies are committed to the principles and ethics of the profession and to the laws regulating the practice of pharmaceutical work, including not dispensing medications except by prescription and ensuring that the medications available in their pharmacies are registered with the Ministry of Public Health. In this context, the Syndicate’s inspection teams continue their field tours in various Lebanese regions to verify compliance with the approved regulations and ensure the circulation of medicines registered with the Ministry of Public Health. If any violation is detected, the relevant files are referred to the union’s disciplinary council to take appropriate action in accordance with the rules. As for the entities that are proven to be practicing pharmaceutical work without a legal license, the Syndicate follows up on their files in coordination with the Ministry of Public Health to take the necessary legal measures against violators in order to preserve the health of citizens and preserve the reputation of the profession and the rights of law-abiding pharmacists. While the Syndicate stresses the importance of following up on what has been raised in the media regarding the dispensing of neurological medications and narcotic medications or medications subject to special control according to medical prescriptions, it stresses the necessity of applying the laws and regulations to all concerned, each within the scope of his responsibility, including any proven violation in the regulation of medical prescriptions or the dispensing or circulation of medications. The Syndicate calls on the competent regulatory, judicial and health authorities to continue cooperation and coordination to uncover any violations and hold those responsible accountable in accordance with the law, stressing that protecting the health of citizens and ensuring the safe use of medicines is a shared responsibility and that adherence to the law is the basis for maintaining confidence in the pharmaceutical profession.”