Pharmacists Freely Dispense Drugs Without Prescription

This story has nothing to do with Canadian pharmacy, but I think it's worthwhile to pass on pharmacy practice issues in other countries that are interesting. I'm not exactly sure how Saudi pharmacists can get away with selling prescription only mediciations without a prescription. Isn't there some sort of government regulatory body that monitors pharmacy practice?

From the Arab News:
If you live in the Kingdom long enough, chances are you’ll eventually go to a pharmacy and pick up prescription-only medication as easily as picking up a package of Panadol, an over-the-counter, non-narcotic painkiller.

The practice of buying drugs illegally conjures up images of drug addicts finding ways to obtain controlled substances in order to abuse them for a cheap high. However the most “under-the-counter” drugs are antibiotics and other powerful medications used for treating diabetes, heart conditions or depression. ...more