Why gum sales are recorded

Why gum sales are recorded

Quoted in the Straits Times dated 28th Sep 2004:

"WE REFER to Mr Wong Hsien Wu's letter, 'No reason to register gum sales' (ST, Sept 9).

The Ministry of Health allows the sale of chewing gum with medicinal/dental value by a pharmacist to customers. Our current regulations require records to be kept so as to verify transactions if the need arises.

JEANNIE THNG (MS)
Deputy Director
Corporate Communications
for Chief Executive Officer
Health Sciences Authority"

Wow. What an excellent example of a government official template reply. An answer that is not an answer.

I think what the reader want to ask is:
"Why do you need to register for gum sales and not the other sales?".
"What do you do with the information?"

I'm clueless how the registration is going to serve whatever purpose it had in mind.

I have one to contribute too:

"Can you help me?"
"No, I'm busy"
"What are you busy about?"
"I'm busy doing nothing.