UAE withdraws medicine incorrectly labelled safe for children

A batch of suppositories must be pulled from pharmacies under orders from the Ministry of Health and Prevention

Ministry of Health and Prevention calls for withdrawal of batch of suppositories that was incorrectly labelled as 'for children'. Getty

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

The Ministry of Health and Prevention issued a circular calling for the withdrawal of a batch of Laxocodyl suppositories (10mg) on Sunday, saying the incorrect labelling could lead to a child taking an inappropriate 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Administration and will be immediately withdrawn from the UAE market, reported state news agency Wam.

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 own the medicine 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 pharmacists assistants, and managers of public and private pharmacies.

It called on suppliers, healthcare practitioners, pharmacists and community members to report any cases of side effects caused by use of the confiscated product to the Ministry.