Warning issued against weight loss pills
dubai — The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention has issued four circulars warning against the use of food supplements that may cause blood pressure related ailments.
Dr Amin Hussein Al Amiri, assistant undersecretary for the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention’s Public Policy and Licensing Sector and chairman of the Supreme Pharmacovigilance Committee, said that the circulars tasked the health authorities with withdrawing such products from the market and prevent their import and marketing. The products are not registered under the ministry’s drug administration department.
Dr Al Amiri confirmed that the ministry has received a warning from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that the manufacturer of LaBri’s Body Health Atomic, which sells bottles of 60 herbal capsules for curbing appetite and weight loss, has withdrawn the product from the market. It contains undeclared ingredients such as sibutramine, which may cause high blood pressure and/or increased heart rate in some patients, posing major health risks to patients with heart conditions or those who are prone to stroke.
The FDA has also warned against use of Rhino 8 Platinum 8000, which is used as a dietary supplement to strengthen sexual performance in men. It contains an undeclared drug, Sildenafil, which may cause a sharp and dangerous drop in blood pressure. This is a significant risk to diabetic or heart patients or obese people, especially those who take drugs containing nitrate.
Alert for medical devices
One of the circulars detailed the latest safety reports on certain medical devices, advising public and private hospitals to withdraw them, as they may cause blood clotting that could lead to allergic reactions and life-threatening conditions.
The health circulars sent out to the directors of all medical districts and hospitals also involve the Merit Prelude Short Sheath Introducer. Manufactured by US-based Merit Medical Systems, the device is used to directly deliver medication to veins and arteries. The FDA has issued a warning to withdraw the medical devices with serial numbers H1041469, H1041473, H1041464 and H1036880, which have a manufacturing defect.
The tip of these vascular access device could separate from the sheath and lead to bleeding and severe injury to the arteries. The dislodged tip’s entry into the bloodstream can cause blood clotting as well. The circular also stated that the product is not registered by the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention.
The FDA has also ordered the withdrawal of the EpiPen and EpiPen Jr Auto-Injectors manufactured by Meridian Medical Technologies and Pfizer — and distributed by Mylan NV — due to a manufacturing defect. It may cause the device not to be activated in emergency situations which may cause serious health problems, especially in patients with anaphylaxis.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com