Chemists are 'guides', not GPs

Dubai // Chemists should receive more training about how to educate the public, a health official said yesterday, but warned they should not act as doctors. Speaking ahead of the Dubai International Pharmaceuticals and Technologies conference on Mar 29-31, Dr Ali al Sayed, director of the pharmaceutical services department at the Dubai Health Authority, said: "We want to educate the pharmacists about how they can better educate the public. The public may see pharmacists as doctors but they are guides."

He noted that the UAE had a culture of self-diagnosis, which could lead to people buying prescription drugs without seeking the professional medical advice. munderwood@thenational.ae