Dubai: The Ministry of Health (MoH) has urged consumers to be wary of websites offering unauthorised medical products and devices on grounds that health advertisements of this nature violate the UAE’s laws.
Further, the authority has warned that unregistered products could be misleading, unsafe and even life threatening.
While efforts are being made by the Ministry’s pharmaceutical registration and control department in cooperation with the health advertisements department, residents should do their bit to protect themselves. The MoH encourages consumers to investigate the credibility of website offers by checking whether the products are registered with the Ministry and/or allowed for circulation in the country.
Recently, the Ministry instructed the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) to block a website selling contact lenses for UAE and GCC consumers. The sale is a violation of Federal Law number 4 of 1983 under profession of pharmacy and pharmaceutical institutions, and the cabinet’s decision No. 7 of 2007 concerning the system of health advertisements. The body has also instructed Emirates Post to take necessary action against such websites by refusing delivery of health products that are not registered by the MoH.
In a statement, Dr Ameen Hussain Al Amiri, assistant undersecretary for Medical Practices and Licensing at the MoH, said: “There is a significant risk in the promotion and sale of medical products and devices without the medical approval or advice from a specialised doctor or registration of products with the Ministry to ensure their safety and eligibility.”
Caveat
On health grounds, the caveat is that medical products bought through the internet could be fraudulent and harmful to health.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), medical products on the internet may not be safe, effective and of good quality for human use; may not be studied and evaluated according to the laws and regulations of one’s country; and may not have assurance of safety and effectiveness. Such products are often sold without adequate instructions for use, circumvent regulatory protections, leaving the user unable to obtain compensation from the manufacturer or distributor for any damage resulting from the use of these products.
Speaking to Gulf News about the dangers of using unregistered products, Dr Sevdalina Ivanova Velizarova, specialist Internal Medicine, Cedars — Jebel Ali International Hospital, Dubai, explained that treatment with fraudulent products can cause more harm. “The product may not provide any real treatment benefit, and worse, it could aggravate your condition, presenting a real danger with side effects. Several of my patients use the internet as a resource of information, and some even buy products online. It is important to educate them in this regard.”
By way of advice, she added, “The internet is a tool that shouldn’t be used in isolation. Information from the internet shouldn’t replace a consultation with a doctor. One should confirm the information with the doctors.”
