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Animal medicine addiction!

A CONCERNED department issued a warning yesterday regarding the misuse of a medicine used for animals as an intoxicant by youth.

The warning came from Dr Issa bin Jakka Al Mansoury, Director of the Medicine Control Department of Health Ministry, who is also the chief of the committee entrusted with the task of reviewing the drug table in cooperation with Ministry of Interior. The department issued such warning after receiving many complaints from diverse sources that the medicine is leading to addiction.

We know the authorities are doing their best to control and protect UAE from drugs and narcotics. Their burden would increase if they have to monitor veterinary medicines. Therefore, we think such medicine being taken as a drug should be drawn from the pharmacies. Indeed a recommendation was submitted to the cabinet regarding such medicines and a decision was issued prohibiting its sale in the UAE without a medical prescription and giving the Ministry of Health the sole right to import it and monitor its smuggling into the state. However, the medicine is still in use and poses a threat to the lives of young people. Therefore, we think strict measures should be taken against any person or pharmacy dealing with it. All endeavours should be made to protect youth and society from such medicines. Besides, the Ministry of Health and its committee should make review all kinds of drugs which have been imported into the UAE whether for human beings or animals.