Dubai: The Ministry of Health and Prevention has issued a circular for the immediate withdrawal of two medications from the market.
The first medication, Pedovex (75mg), is a film-coated tablet produced by Tabuk Pharmaceuticals, which is used to prevent blood clots. The second, Omacid Chewable tablets, is used to treat indigestion and heartburn and is produced by Oman’s National Pharmaceuticals Industries.
Dr Amin Hussain Al Amiri, assistant undersecretary for Public Health Policies and Licensing at the ministry, said that Pedovex has been withdrawn following information from the Gulf Cooperation Council’s Health Council, which stated that the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has suspended the product’s registration for not being bioequivalent with the reference drug.
Al Amiri pointed out that the ministry called for the withdrawal of Pedovex from the public and private health sector, and noted that while the product is registered with the ministry’s medicines department, the product has been withdrawn and its registration suspended.
As for Omacid, the SFDA has informed the ministry that a certain batch of the tablets was withdrawn following a notification received from Oman’s National Pharmaceuticals Industries that it did not pass lab tests.
Al Amiri pointed out that Omacid is not currently available in the UAE, but is registered with the GCC Health Council.
He added that the ministry is keen on the safety of patients, and has informed directors of medical districts, and public and private hospitals about Omacid so that they can take necessary measures.
