KUALA LUMPUR: The health ministry will take disciplinary action against clinics and pharmacies which sell antibiotics without doctor's prescription.

The minister, Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, said the ministry had issued a directive to all doctors, prior to this, to use antibiotics judiciously and carefully.

"This is to prevent bacteria from becoming immune to antibiotics. It is also dangerous if taken without prior advice from a doctor," he said when met by reporters at the 59th MCA General Assembly here.

Liow was commenting on a report in a local newspaper today, which stated that many pharmacies in the country were selling antibiotics to the public without doctor's prescription.

The report also stated that irresponsible parties sold controlled antibiotics without explaining the required dosage, which could result in the abuse of antibiotics.

- Bernama