For some people, it saves them time and money, especially when they know what condition or disease they need treating and the medicines they use. Doctors believe, however, that this act is putting patients in danger because pharmacists are not allowed to sell medicines without prescriptions.

Each doctor is specialized in his own field of medicine and have the knowledge to diagnose any disease or condition and prescribe the right medication.

Pharmacists who sell medicines to patients without a prescription could be exposing patients to life-threatening side effects.

Dr. Emad Abdul Fattah, who works at a local private hospital in Jeddah, believes that pharmacists only treat symptoms, not the disease.

He believes that people who see pharmacists before doctors are trying to save money. “If the patient ends up taking the wrong medicine and suffer from side effects, then he or she will end up spending more money to see a doctor and buy more medicines,” he said.

“Pharmacists are not allowed to sell medicines to patients without a prescription. If pharmacists want to play an important role, then they should direct patients to the right doctors instead of prescribing medicines.”

He said that one time he received a phone call from a pharmacist to inquire about a medicine he had prescribed to a patient. He said that was the correct action to take.

A Saudi doctor, who did not want his name mentioned, said that he knows an Asian pharmacist who sells medicines without a prescription and gives people injections at the pharmacy where he works. “People should be careful about such things and report these illegal activities to the responsible authority,” he added.

Majed Abdul Razik, a pharmacist in Jeddah, believes that most pharmacists give patients medicines based on their experience with similar conditions they have dealt with before.

“Many people come to ask for medication without seeing a doctor. I advise them first to go and see a doctor. Some doctors prescribe a lot of medicines to patients that they may not need. I advise them always that they may not need that much but it is up to them to decide,” he said.

He added that the majority of people who come to buy medicines without seeing a doctor are those who cannot afford consultation fees.

Salah Al-Soury, a pharmacist in Jeddah, said some people do not see the difference between a doctor and a pharmacist. Their main concern is to save time and money.

“Medicines cannot be given to the patient without a prescription from the doctor, especially antibiotics. Some people are allergic to certain medicinal substances, so they can’t use any medicine without a prescription and before seeing a doctor,” he said.

“Some doctors prescribe the wrong medicine. A patient came to me once with a medical prescription with wrong dosage. It was more than what he needed. I refused to sell it to him fearing for his health and I asked him to check again with his doctor.”