G.O.B. Hits Back At Brodies for Importing Medicine without Proper Labeling

G.O.B. has promptly responded to statements made by James Brodie and Company Limited, an importer of pharmaceuticals. On Wednesday, Brodies claimed that it stands to lose some ninety thousand dollars in medicine after the Government denied them entry of a shipment of medication that was ordered from Ziotis Company in 2017.  The issue is over labeling of all imported products in English and/or Spanish. The Government says that of the thirty pharmaceutical companies operating in Belize, five were not following the law; four of those companies have discontinued importation of these products except Brodies. In a lengthy release, the government says that while conducting inspections at pharmacies across the country, Primolut N tablets not labeled in English and/or Spanish were found in Dangriga and Belize City and sourced to Brodies.  The Ministry says that it did not take action against the company because the medicine was already in the country. During that same month, however, Brodies made a request for the importation for one Ziotis shipment. The shipment was denied since the medication was not being shipped from England as claimed in the invoice. The port of shipment loading was Ankara, Turkey.  Brodies was so informed, but the shipment proceeded. G.O.B. also alleges that an inspection of the container revealed that Brodies had imported a higher number of pharmaceuticals than what was declared in the invoice. As the situation continued to fester, the Ministry of Health informed Brodies that the shipment is to be returned and five shipments have been on hold since June 2018, but four were released after Brodies committed to submitting all necessary documentation.  In respect of a shipment from Ziotis; that company could not accept the return of the meds.  The Ministry is also refuting an allegation that a Belmopan company has been authorized to re-label or re-package pharmaceuticals that are not in English and/or Spanish.