New amendments to the UAE legislation are aimed at suppressing the dangerous practice of dispensing antibiotics without a doctor’s prescription.
The Ministry of Health is preparing a bill regulating the turnover of antibiotics. These measures are necessary to prevent the use of medications without urgent need.
Dr. Amin Hussein Al Amiri, Assistant Undersecretary of Health and Licensing, said the amendments are being considered in the context of the World Health Organization (WHO) report on the spread of the threat posed by increased bacterial resistance to antibiotics due to changes in bacteria, which reduces the effectiveness of drugs. This currently poses a serious threat to public health.
According to him, international studies show that between 50 and 80 percent of microbes have developed strong antibiotic resistance, which could jeopardize the human immune system.
As the expert explained, this prolongs the duration of the disease and complicates treatment, increases the risk of complications that can lead to death.
According to the report, 700,000 people die every year around the world for this reason.
The use of antibiotics without urgent need leads to epidemics. In this regard, the WHO decided every year from November 16 to 22 to hold a world week to inform the population about antibiotics.
Dr. Al Amiri said the ministry is currently preparing new amendments aimed at preventing illegal activities related to the dispensing of antibiotics without a doctor’s prescription. The new draft federal law aims to regulate the pharmaceutical industry, its goal is to control prescription drugs.
According to the doctor, all pharmacies must comply with federal and local laws governing the circulation of medicines in the country.
The ministry and local health authorities will tighten control by checking about 2,400 private pharmacies that violate the rules for dispensing drugs.
