Veterinarian fined and deported for supplying restricted steroid

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

A veterinarian caught supplying a restricted steroid through a veterinary hospital’s pharmacy has been fined BD5,000 and ordered to leave Bahrain permanently.

The High Appeals Court overturned the initial verdict and imposed a tougher penalty after prosecutors pushed for stricter measures.

The court also ordered the destruction of the seized substances.

Pharmacy

The case came to light when the Animal Health Directorate at the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture flagged the presence of a restricted steroid in a pharmacy linked to a private veterinary hospital.

A subsequent investigation revealed that the accused — who was responsible for the pharmacy — had arranged for the drug to be brought in without the hospital director’s knowledge or approval.

The Public Prosecution swiftly referred the case to the Minor Criminal Court, which initially imposed a BD5,000 fine.

Harsher punishment

However, prosecutors appealed, arguing for a harsher punishment.

The appeal court sided with them, ruling that the veterinarian should be permanently deported.

This was not his first offence. Last year, the Animal Health Directorate flagged him for a similar violation, which also resulted in a BD5,000 fine.