Health Ministry denies drug warning report

Dubai: A senior Ministry of Health official yesterday denied issuing a warning against the use of 29 drugs which reportedly cause heart attacks and certain cancers.

It was reported in a certain section of the media that the ministry had advised municipalities, customs departments and relevant authorities that these drugs should not be sold in the market.

"These drugs are not registered with the ministry and people are buying them online, " Dr Ameen Al Ameri, Assistant Undersecretary for Medical Practices and Licensing at the ministry, was quoted as saying in the report.

But Dr Al Ameri told Gulf News that he had never issued such a warning.

The report in the Arabic language newspaper has caused confusion and pharmacies said they had not received any list from the ministry indicating the banned items.

Last year the ministry banned a herbal weight loss pill called Celerite as it was believed to cause palpitations and other side effects.

Blood pressure

Celerite contains sibutramine which increases blood pressure and is not safe for people suffering from cardiovascular problems and hypertension, the ministry said.

The ministry also said it coordinates with the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority to block some websites which promote banned drugs online.

Most of the banned drugs advertised online are sexual stimulants or intended for weight loss or bodybuilding.