Pharmacies found selling lotions instead of medical alcohol

Some pharmacies in Uzbekistan have been found selling lotions instead of medical alcohol, the Competition Development and Consumer Rights Protection Committee has reported.

According to the committee, complaints have recently been received from citizens regarding the practices of certain pharmacies. In these appeals, consumers stated that when they requested medical alcohol, pharmacy staff offered lotion instead. In response, the committee conducted inspections under its “mystery shopper” initiative to examine the sale of alcohol-based products in pharmacies.

More than 20 pharmacies were inspected, and in approximately 25 percent of them, customers were offered lotion instead of medical alcohol when requesting alcohol-based products.

At the same time, amid the introduction of GDP certification requirements and strengthened quality control in pharmaceutical production, some alcohol producers reportedly failed to obtain the necessary licenses and began manufacturing lotions instead of medical alcohol. The lack of clear information provided to consumers in such cases has led to misleading practices.

For reference, 70 percent medical alcohol is widely used in healthcare for purposes such as:

• preparing the skin before injections;
• sterilizing medical instruments;
• treating wounds;
• use during surgical procedures.

Lotions, by contrast, are cosmetic products with a lower alcohol content and are mainly intended for:

• cleansing the skin and reducing excess oil;
• removing cosmetic residues.

As a result, offering lotion in place of medical alcohol may fail to deliver the expected effect and could pose risks to consumer health. This practice constitutes the provision of misleading information to consumers and may cause harm.

The committee noted that such actions show signs of violations of current consumer protection legislation. Relevant cases may be initiated against pharmacies involved, and a formal letter has been sent to the Center for Pharmaceutical Product Safety requesting measures to prevent such practices.

Based on these findings, the committee has warned pharmacies that failing to provide consumers with accurate and clear information constitutes a violation of legal requirements.

It is worth noting that earlier, a pharmacy in Khazorasp district of Khorezm region was found to be selling potent medications without a doctor’s prescription.