Dubai
The Ministry of Health on Tuesday warned pharmacies against selling antibiotics without prescriptions.
Indiscriminate use of antibiotics can lead to an overall weakening of the immune system and upset the battle against severe bacterial infections, said Dr Ameen Hussain Al Amiri, Assistant Undersecretary for Medical Practice and License Sector in UAE Ministry of Health. He vowed to take punitive action against pharmacies that violate laws.
The warning comes in the wake of the World Health Organisation’s advice against the reckless use of antibiotics. According to the WHO, more than 700,000 deaths occur each year owing to the indiscriminate use of antibiotics globally.
Dr Al Amiri said research indicated that more than 50-80 per cent of disease causing microbes have developed strong resistance to antibiotics because of wrong usage. This not only caused health complications for individuals but increased the burden of healthcare on the country. It also increased the individual health care bills and derailed a country’s fight against bacterial epidemics, he said. “Indiscriminate use of antibiotics not only weakens the immune system but prolonged use can cause complications which can be fatal,” he warned.
Dr Al Amiri went on to add that antibiotics must be used only under medical supervision and as per prescribed dosage. People must not stop medication as soon as they feel well but continue with the entire course to destroy the bacteria or else the likelihood of it developing resistance is very high. “We need antibiotics to stop infection in case of complicated surgeries, during organ transplant and cancer treatment. But it must be used judiciously or else there can be wider social repercussions if these qualities are rendered ineffective.”
He concluded by saying all pharmacies were expected to comply with the law and those found guilty would be referred to investigation committees, he added.
