UAE to issue new law against dangerous practice of dispensing antibiotics

UAE to issue new law against dangerous practice of dispensing antibiotics

The UAE Health Ministry will issue new health legislations to put an end to the dangerous practice of dispensing antibiotics without medical prescription.

Dr Amin Hussein Al Amiri, assistant undersecretary for public policy and licensing at the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP), said the legislations are in the context of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) reports on the prevalence of the threat created by bacterial resistance to antibiotics which is caused by changes that occur in the bacteria and render antibiotics less effective.

Dr Al Amiri pointed out that global reports have shown that between 50 and 80 per cent of germs have developed strong resistance to antibiotics, which leads to the deterioration of the immune system. This, he explained, prolongs the duration of the disease and makes treatment more difficult, consequently increasing the risk for complications that can lead to death. Reports indicate the death of 700,000 people annually worldwide for this reason.

The indiscriminate use of antibiotics leads to epidemics unless there is intervention and radical solutions, which has prompted the WHO to allocate the period from November 16 to 22 every year as World Awareness Week on Antibiotics.

Dr Al Amiri said that MOHAP is currently preparing appropriate legislation to prevent misconduct related to the dispensing of antibiotics without a prescription. He pointed out that the new draft of the federal law aims to regulate the pharmaceutical profession so it addresses in detail drugs that strictly require prescriptions. He added that this is an important and positive aspect which helps in the prevention of practices that aggravate drug resistance.

The assistant undersecretary further emphasised that all pharmacies must abide by the rules and local regulations governing their operations in the UAE. The ministry and the local health authorities will intensify the supervision and inspection of pharmacies in the country.

MOHAP will also raise awareness among doctors on the rationalisation of prescriptions, particularly the need to be strict in the prescription of antibiotics so that such medicines are dispensed only when medically required and used at accurate dose.

He also noted that the importance of health education for the public to raise awareness on the importance of adherence to the prescription and continued use of the antibiotic for the prescribed duration even in the case of earlier improvement. He also called for individuals to avoid self-medication with leftover antibiotics from previous medical treatments.

According to scientists, antibiotics will be the biggest health challenge of the 21st century, requiring a change in global behaviour by individuals and communities. The increasing resistance to antibiotics is a global health crisis. In the near future, these medications are capable of causing a malfunction in the current drug system. Doctors warn that neglecting rules may lead to serious health complications.