Cambodian pharmacist denies medication to patient who was S$0.16 short, gets licence suspended

A Phnom Penh pharmacy had its licence suspended after a pharmacist withdrew medicine from a patient who lacked 500 riel (S$0.16).

The interaction was posted on social media, which went viral and prompted an investigation by the Cambodian Pharmaceutical Council.

Khmer Times published that the council suspended the pharmacy's licence for 12 months after finding this an act of professional misconduct.

The female pharmacist initially posted the video on social media on Nov. 29, 2025, to complain and warn the owner about this customer, Koh Santepheap Daily reported. 

However, the video backfired and received backlash from the public.

Patient asked for the price to be lowered

The Bio Care Pharmacy involved is located on Chom Chao Boulevard, Damnak Thom 3 Village, Stung Meanchey 3 Sangkat, Meanchey District, Phnom Penh. 

A customer consulted the pharmacist for medicine to soothe his itchy scalp and was handed a medication that cost 13,500 riels (S$4.37). 

The customer requested a price reduction to 13,000 riel (S$4.21), but the pharmacy owner refused and took the medication back.

On Dec. 1, 2025, the Council of Pharmacists of Region 1 summoned the involved pharmacists for clarification regarding the incident.

After an investigation, the owner of the pharmacy admitted her mistake and publicly apologised, stating that she would strictly abide by the pharmacist's code of ethics.

The pharmacy council has since suspended her license for 12 months, preventing the pharmacy from practising and providing medicine from Dec. 1, 2025, to Nov. 30, 2026.

This is according to a press release by the Cambodian Pharmacists Association, published Fresh News.

Top photo from Khmer Times and Fresh News.