The owner of a pharmacy operating out of a building in Arnos Vale says that his enterprise has nothing to do with the one that was previously located there.{{more}}

“I would like the public to know that Marpes Pharmacy has no association with whatever they would have thought was a pharmacy in the past,” Oneil Atkins told SEARCHLIGHT, during a visit to the area yesterday.

“We have nothing to do with it, and the public has no fear in receiving medication from Marpes Pharmacy because it is being dispensed under the judgment of a qualified and experienced pharmacist.”

Atkins explained that coverage of the trial involving physician Dr Junior Ackie, which was published in the June 4 Midweek edition of SEARCHLIGHT, has caused persons to question the legitimacy of Marpes Pharmacy.

Ackie, who faces 10 criminal charges, is accused of carrying on the business of a pharmacy without conspicuously exhibiting in the pharmacy a certificate of registration of the business; displaying the sign “Pharmacy” on his premises at his medical clinic at Arnos Vale; and operating a retail pharmacy at his medical clinic at Arnos Vale, among other charges, between September and October 2011.

He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

If found guilty, the medical doctor could face a sentence of up to one year in prison, and a fine of up to $1,000.

Atkins, who said that he has been a pharmacist for the past 15 years, said that Marpes has been in operation since February 2012.

The pharmacist said that he has had to clarify for curious persons that his business has nothing to do with the previous one, which operated in the same building.

“I have received several calls, and some of these calls are not necessarily calls that seek to have information; they are calls that speak to accusation, and that got me very concerned.

“Up to this morning someone called (and asked) ‘Are you licensed as yet?’” he shared.

“If you come to my place, you will see my license right in front there, so I don’t understand what you are saying,” he said he informed the caller.

“The business, or whatever, it was set up right here, but I since would have remodelled the property….”

Atkins vowed that he would never operate a business place without the proper licenses, nor would he allow unqualified persons to dispense medication at his business place.

He informed SEARCHLIGHT that he currently has two qualified assistants, who are on the verge of being registered.

Atkins said that the current legal matter in which Ackie is accused is an “unfortunate” situation, and he wishes that it does not occur with any other business operator, especially in the field of health.

The case, which is being heard at the Calliaqua district court, is being prosecuted by Karim Nelson from the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, while Samantha Robertson is the defence counsel for the accused. (JJ)