Warning issued against 12 medicinal drugs in UAE

The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHP) issued warning circulars against 12 medicinal drugs this month, according to Dr Amin Hussain Al Amiri, Assistant Undersecretary of MoHP for Public Health and Licensing.

The 12 adulterated drugs mostly contain Sildenafil and Sibutramine and other hazardous chemical substances. While Sildenafil causes a sharp drop in blood pressure, Sibutramine shoots up the blood pressure. Both substances can pose a great risk to heart and arteries patients, diabetes, and children. They can also cause irregular heart beat and even stroke.

Dr Al Amiri said the ministry maintains a direct contact with the Uppsala Monitoring Centre, which is affiliated to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

"The UAE applies stiff measures in fighting medicinal adulteration, which is done in coordination with the customs authority and security bodies in the country," Dr Al Amiri said.

The health and concerned entities bodies in the country place the drug safety as a top priority, and takes a series of precautionary measures regarding that, he added.

"The ministry's warning circular against adulterated drugs does not mean that these products have gained access to the country. Yet the ministry adopts the latest monitoring systems to detect such drugs before entering the country."

The UAE health authorities also follow the warning circular updates issued by the world health agencies such as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency. We have also a direct contact with Uppsala, the WHO monitoring centre.

Al Amiri has warned of buying food supplements, especially those promoting slimming and arousing men's stamina from products of unknown sources.

He said most of such products, which are sold online, are unlicensed and made of prohibited substances.

A report carried by the WHO stated that about 90 per cent of the drugs sold online are adulterated and fake. Moreover, the bodies and persons that are promoting those drugs are often outside the country.

Al Amiri advised people, who are willing to buy food supplements, to get them from the approved pharmacies and health centres after consulting the treating doctors or the pharmacist.

reporters@khaleejtimes.com

List of 12 blacklisted medicines

Homeopathic Teething products; XtraHRD; Goldreallas Original; Ginseng for Reinforcing Kidney; Platinuim Max Strength Blue pill Version; Slimming Plus Advanced; Platinum Weight Solution-Fat Loss Metabolizer; Goldreallas XXX; X-treme Beauty Slim; Shenjingpian; Old Chinese; and Lean Extreme Max.