Hi-tech device to fight counterfeit medicines in UAE

Dubai - The small device also enables drug inspection teams to make "informed and timely decisions concerning the release of all drug shipments.

The fight against counterfeit drugs has just been given a boost in the UAE, with the Ministry of Health and Prevention unveiling a state-of-the-art technology to detect counterfeit or low-quality drugs. These drugs, the ministry said, pose a "great health threat" to the community.
The TruScan RM Analyzer is especially helpful to patients who take drugs to treat chronic diseases, heart ailments and cancer. "It performs accurate, reliable and rapid verification of a broad range of chemical compounds. Significant information is stored in the device's database to be used to identify and verify samples," said the ministry in a Press statement.
The small device also enables drug inspection teams in the country to make "informed and timely decisions concerning the release of all drug shipments entering the UAE", the ministry added.
Dr Amin Hussein Al Amiri, assistant undersecretary for public policy and licensing, said the country has been fighting the spread of counterfeit medicines in the local market by implementing preventive measures and building a quality control laboratory.
The country's "relevant policies also aim to empower domestic drug inspectors and authorities responsible for the release of medicines at ports and airports and post offices".
Ministry-employed pharmacists stationed at land, air and seaports are presently using the TruScan RM Analyzer. The ministry is planning to roll out the device at all local ports as it moves to employ more drug inspectors to prevent counterfeit and low-quality medicines from being distributed across the UAE.
Dr Al Amiri said the devices have been distributed at Abu Dhabi Airport, Abu Dhabi Post, border ports in Al Ain and Dubai International Airport.
Weighing less than 900 grammes, TruScan gives clear results in seconds depending on Raman radiation. Further, through the device, inspectors can examine the chemicals without the risk of contamination and exposure, while minimising costly laboratory sampling tests.
The ministry said many international organisations are currently using TruScan RM Analyzer. These include the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Saudi Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) and UK Medicines and Health Care Products Agency (MHRA).
The World Customs Organisation (WCO) has placed the value of counterfeit medicines at $200 billion a year globally.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com