Dubai: The Ministry of Health and Prevention has recalled some pharmaceutical products and medical devices with immediate effect, said a senior ministry official.
Dr Ameen Hussain Al Amiri, assistant undersecretary for Public Health Policy and Licensing at the ministry and Chairman for Supreme Pharmacovigilance Committee, announced that the ministry had issued circulars to withdraw some batches of pharmaceutical products and medical devices from the local market. The recalled products include some batches of Human Albumin Biotest 5 per cent and 20 per cent solutions. This medicine is an albumin extract from human plasma and used for stabilising blood volume. The manufacturer voluntarily recalled the products, citing production defect and contamination with ethylene glycol used for cooling in the manufacturing process. The product is registered by the ministry’s Drug Department, and as such, the ministry directed the local distributor to withdraw the products from the local market and warned all health-care practitioners to not use these batches if available at their facilities.
The second circular was issued concerning the safety and recall of Fluconazole injection, in Intravia Plastic Container, 200mg/100ml manufactured by Baxter Healthcare Corporation, and indicated for the treatment and prevention of fungal infections. The manufacturer voluntarily pulled out the product due to product packaging leakage.
The third circular was about withdrawal of one batch of the vacutainer plus serum separator tube produced by Becton Dickinson. The company voluntarily recalled one batch of the specified medical device, with number 6166824 and expiry date on December 31, 2017. The blood collection tube was recalled due to the presence of small particles in the tube. The product is not registered with the ministry’s Drug Department. However, the Ministry decided to issue the circular to ensure patient safety.
Lastly, the fourth circular directed the recall of BD Precision Glide Needle 18G x 1 RB by Becton Dickinson. The manufacturer voluntarily withdrew the defective product used as a needle for subcutaneous injection and with batch number 5299561 because the needle could break and leak medicine when inserted under the skin. The product is not registered with the Drug Department but the circular formed part of the ministry’s preventive measures to protect patients in the UAE.
Al Amiri said the ministry partners with local health authorities to guarantee drug safety across the UAE, and as part of a comprehensive medicine security to prevent public health issue, it exercises maximum health precautions.
Individuals suffering from any drug-related side effect may report the same by filling out a form available at http://www.cpdpharma.ae. They may also dial 04-2301448, fax: 04-2301947, or email: pv@moh.gov.ae.
