Authorities withdraw medicine incorrectly labelled as safe for children

Medication incorrectly labelled as safe for children has been withdrawn from the shelves of pharmacies in the UAE.

The Ministry of Health and Prevention yesterday issued a circular calling for the withdrawal of a batch of Laxocodyl suppositories ( 10mg), saying the incorrect labelling could lead to a child taking the wrong dose of the drug that could cause harmful side effects.

Laxocodyl suppositories, manufactured by Julphar Gulf Pharmaceutical Industries Manufacturers in Ras Al Khaimah, are used to treat adults with constipation. The medicine is registered with the Ministry’s Drug Administration and will be immediately withdrawn from the UAE market, state news agency Wam reported.

The circular called on doctors to avoid prescribing the medicine and ordered pharmacies to return the incorrectly labelled batch (0093) to the supplier.

Residents who may have the medicine at home were urged to check their label to ensure it did not come from the offending batch and to discard it if needed.

The ministry recommended patients visit their doctor for an alternative medicine.

The ministry’s circular was addressed to directors of medical districts, public and private hospitals, doctors, pharmacists and pharmacist’s assistants, and managers of public and private pharmacies.

It called on suppliers, health care practitioners, pharmacists and community members to report any cases of side effects caused by use of the product to the ministry.

Residents who may have the medicine at home are urged to check their label to ensure it did not come from the offending batch