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New drug law by year-end to control fake medicines

Dubai - The law will put in place procedures to seize suspected shipments into the country

An updated federal pharmaceutical law with new procedures to seize counterfeit, controlled and semi-controlled medicines, is expected to be in place by the end of the year, according to a senior health official.
Speaking on the sidelines of the two-day Second Emirates International Conference on Combating Medicinal Products Counterfeiting, Dr Amin Al Amiri, Assistant Under Secretary of Public Health Policy and Licensing Sector at the Ministry of Health and Prevention, did not reveal details of the punitive measures as the law is still being discussed at the FNC.
"It is a big law which is being updated. The earlier law was passed in 1983," he said. "With changing technologies, policies and time, this law is being updated and will lay out clear policies for those abusing it," he added.
The law will put in place procedures to seize suspected shipments into the country and also oversee import and export shipments and 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 has increased to Dh9.6 billion in 2016. By 2020, the industry is forecasted 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 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
How to spot a counterfeit
> Be familiar as possible with your medicines (size, shape, colour, taste, side effects etc)
> Pay attention to inner and outer packaging
> Obtain your medicines from licensed pharmacies
> Avoid buying medicine online
> Report if you think you have bought a counterfeit medicine
> Ask your pharmacist
For reporting suspicious cases and enquiries, you can contact the MoHP Drug Department, Pharmacovigilance section at pv@moh.gov.ae or 24/7 hotline 80011111
> According to the Interpol over 1.2 million people worldwide die each year due to counterfeit medicines
> Trade in counterfeits is extremely profitable, thus making it more attractive to criminal networks. It is estimated that the value of sales of counterfeit medicines reaches $85 billion per year (World Bank Report 2015)
> Methods and channels used by counterfeiters are becoming more sophisticated, making detection more difficult