UAE Ministry of Health bans sale of anti-acidity drug Carelox

Dubai: The Ministry of Health has banned the sale of anti-acidity drug Carelox and issued a circular withdrawing the drug from pharmacies immediately.

The drug was withdrawn because it contained a harmful bacteria, Said Dr Omaim Bin Hussain Al Amiri, Executive Director of Medical Practice and Licensing.

A ministry team conducted an inspection at the factory manufacturing the drug and found out many major rule violations and the factory has been closed.

The factory violated procedures and pharmacological standards, Al Amiri said.

The factory violated manufacturing standards for Carelox, Al Amiri said. The person in-charge of testing the drug admitted that the medicine was not tested to confirm whether it was clear of harmful bacteria, and a fake report was submitted.

The decision to close the factory was based on other violations as well, and a ministerial committee is investigating, Al Amiri said.