MoH Warns: Online circulation of medicines

The Ministry of Health and Prevention has urged the public to avoid various medical products and diet pills being sold online, warning that such promotion is hazardous to public health since it has suddenly become a widespread global phenomenon, thanks to social media.

The ministry pointed out that the International Statistical reports released by the World Health Organisation (WHO) show that more than 95 per cent of medicines being circulated on the Internet are counterfeit and adulterated drugs, accounting for a market worth $100 billion annually.

Dr. Amin Hussein Al Amiri, Assistant Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Prevention for Public Health Policy and Licensing, Chairman of the Supreme Committee for Pharmaceutical Vigilance, said the communication channels among competent authorities are open to tackle this imminent threat.

He explained that the ministry has put in place a system to continuously monitor the drug market in the state, and follow up on the warnings issued by international bodies in this respect, pointing out that the ministry has a direct link to the WHO's drug monitoring centre.

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