Ministry bans flu, jet lag supplements

Homeopathy brands sold on social media may contain microbial contamination

UAE authorities are cracking down on products sold on social networking sites that may contain microbial contamination.

The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) issued a circular warning residents against purchasing the unregistered supplements that continue to be sold online including: Rejuvenation Plus Energy, Diet Power Dieting, AllergeEase Allergies, TravelEase Jet Lag, Body Balance Adrenal and Life Detoxer Lung Support.

Dr Fatima Murad, Deputy Director of the Medicine Department at MOHAP, said the warnings were issued against health supplements manufactured in the US by Eight and Company, Sprayology and King Bio, “due to possible microbial contamination”.

On its website, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stated: “The administration or use of drug products with microbial contamination could potentially result in increased infections that may require medical intervention, and could result in infections that could be life threatening to certain individuals.”

The ministry also issued a warning against batch No. 476597 of the “Accu-Chek Performa 50 Test Strips” which may produce high or low false results. “The product is safe and registered with the health authority. However, in the interests of patient safety, the ministry of health warned against using these affected devices,” said Dr Murad.

MOHAP warned on the dangers of buying medicines online, pointing out that fake medical products are constantly advertised on the internet and social media. Statistics issued by the World Health Organisation (WHO) showed that more than 95 per cent of medicines being promoted on the internet are fake and adulterated annually.

MOHAP urged the public to submit their queries on medical products at 02-3201448 or by email: pv@moh.gov.ae.