In Haiti, medicine is traded as easily as buying a bunch of vegetables or a pound of meat at the market. In addition, drug sellers do not have to sit around waiting for patients to come, but have to actively look for patients to sell drugs.
In the capital, Port-au-Prince, Haiti, a person does not need a degree in pharmacy to practice selling drugs. The process is very simple, as long as you have a little capital to buy medicine, have a large bucket or pot and have good sales ability, then you are eligible to sell medicine.
A drug dealer in Haiti.
Contrary to the belief that when sick, the patient will go to a doctor or pharmacist, in Haiti, the process is completely opposite. Pharmacists selling drugs on the street carry a whole pot of medicine to find patients.
In Haiti, medicine is like a commodity that can be bought in a market or a store. Because of that, buying medicine from peddlers has almost become the norm. In fact, pharmacies have a hard time reaching people in Haiti, so street vendors are the main sellers of drugs to the people.
But not everyone can practice “selling drugs” . Because they must be able to arrange the pot of medicine in the most beautiful and attractive way. Otherwise, you won’t be noticed, let alone buy drugs.
Most sellers often choose to place Ampicillin next to Tylenol to create a contrast in color to attract customers. The potions are designed and arranged very elaborately and not everyone has the skills to do it the best.
At first glance from afar, the potions are like an art installation.
The potions are designed and arranged very elaborately.
Medicine is like a commodity that can be bought in the market.
Medicines from China.
Of course, the sale of street drugs is illegal, but it is rare for the Haitian Ministry of Population and Public Health to take action to sanction or deter this form of drug sales. The lack of oversight by the Haitian government leaves people vulnerable to untrained street vendors.
No one knows the quality of the medicine, only knows that the medicine is from China . There are even expired and counterfeit drugs imported from the Dominican Republic. Buying medicine from unscrupulous sellers is like giving all of your health and life to a charlatan.
Although untrained, drug sellers often give advice, even prescribe for patients. While not all prescriptions are accurate and sometimes even harmful to the patient’s health.
Drug dealers often give advice, even prescribe for sick people.
Rénold Germain, a street drug dealer in Haiti, said : “People can’t hide anything from us. They tell us about symptoms related to infections, digestive or even sex. For each person. disease, we have a different medicine.”
It is not known how long this unique pharmaceutical “industry” in Haiti will last, but this is indeed a form of sales that should be eliminated soon to protect the health of the people.