A man has been arrested for providing unlicensed medical services to sick people from a herbal remedies shop, Ministry of Health officials said.
“The ministry received information about an Asian who checks patients inside a shop that sells herbal products and honey,” said Dr Amin Hussein Al Amiri, assistant undersecretary for Health Policies and Licensing.
“We also discovered that the person promotes his products through a website and introduces himself as a doctor.”
The man was found to be preparing ointments and writing prescriptions for potentially dangerous medicines.
The ministry was tipped off after one of its inspectors made an appointment with the man and was given a medicine he claimed would cure a disease.
The undercover inspector was prescribed a mixture of anonymous ointments.
“He gave unknown ointment mixtures without thinking of the negative health effects or the patient’s history. Any increased amounts of these herbals may lead to deadly results and dangers,” Dr Al Amiri said.
“He also prescribed steroid medication, which is only prescribed by a doctor in certain conditions and amounts.”
An operation to investigate the man was carried out in coordination with police. The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority also shut down the man’s website.
Inspectors also found the shop in breach of hygiene and cleanliness rules.
Members of the public have been urged not to use herbal products without medical consultation because some may have dangerous side effects.
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