Banned: Antibiotics pulled from UAE shelves

Dubai: Health authorities in the UAE have suspended the sale of an antibiotics brand until the product’s active ingredient has been given the seal of approval. 

The Department of Health in Abu Dhabi pulled out the antibacterial Megamox Powder products, which was manufactured by Jazeera Pharmaceutical Industries, after laboratory tests showed the drugs contained the active ingredient of Amoxicillin.

The suspension of the antibiotics will continue until the various concentrations of the Amoxicillin ingredient is deemed as safe for public consumption. 

All pharmacies have been informed to return the products back to the supplier.  

Amoxicillin is used for bacterial infections, sinusitis, tonsillitis, and other conditions, with a list of possible side-effects that include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cholestatic jaundice and anemia.

Immediate withdrawal

The Ministry of Health and Prevention also removed a second brands of antibiotics that contained the active Amoxicillin ingredient.

The product, called Amoclan Powder for oral suspension products, was manufactured by Hikma Pharmaceuticals in Jordan.

Local health authorities carried out laboratory tests and found that the medicine contained levels of Amoxicillin outside the permissible range.