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An updated federal pharmaceutical law expected by the end of the year will put in place new procedures to seize counterfeit, controlled and semi-controlled medicines.
It will also define penalties and punishments for individuals, companies or pharmacies found to be involved in this business, said a senior health official on the sidelines of the two day Second Emirates International Conference on Combating Medicinal Products Counterfeiting that started on Monday.
Dr Amin Al Amiri, Assistant Under Secretary of Public Health Policy and Licensing Sector at the Ministry of Health and Prevention, however, did not give details of the punitive measures since the law is still being discussed at the FNC.
"This is a big law which is being updated. An earlier law that was passed in 1983," he said. "With changing technology, policies and time, this law is being updated and will lay out clear policies to for those abusing it," he added.
The law will also put in place procedures to seize suspected shipments into the country and also oversee import and export shipments and also take smugglers to task.
"This all will improve the market value of the UAE," said Dr Amiri.
In 2015, the pharmaceutical industry was worth Dh8.9 billion and increased to Dh9.6 billion in 2016. By 2020, the industry is forecast to touch Dh13 billion.
"We need strong regulations to protect this industry and products," said Dr Amiri. Currently, there are 19 pharmaceutical factories in the UAE producing 1,100 generic products. By 2020, the number of such local industries is expected to increase to 36.
Earlier last month, the ministry announced that it was launching a new device that will detect counterfeit medicine consignments in seven seconds. Dr Amiri said that this device will curb the passage of fake drugs through UAE ports and any such sales within the country. It has the capacity to detect fakes in the form of liquids, powder, tablets and capsules.
Fake drugs are estimated to be causing a loss of millions of dollars to the government and pharmaceutical companies in the UAE.?
Dr Amiri also said that there were no counterfeit medicines present in any of the country's hospitals and pharmacies for the past four years.
"We have successfully managed to control the sale of fake drugs in these outlets," he said.
However, fake drugs are regularly being used by residents who place orders online, especially for erectile dysfunction, anti-psychotics, hair loss, obesity and hormonal functions.
Majority of counterfeit drugs (53 per cent) fall under life saving drugs category.
Dr Amiri said that fake drugs camouflaged in shipments such as electronics and clothing were the biggest challenge to detect.
"Courier companies are cooperating with us in this regard and we are trying to overcome this point of entry," he said.
Ten such devices that contain the data of registered medicines in the UAE will be distributed among the inspectors soon.
asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com
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