ABU DHABI // The Ministry of Health has issued a decree regulating the circulation of 500 types of drugs in an effort to prevent abuse by doctors and patients.
The ministerial decree divided analgesic, controlled and semi-controlled drugs into three categories according to the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) and medicines in circulation in the UAE not included on the INCB lists.
According to the ministry, the UAE is the first state in the Middle East to implement such regulations.
Over the last two years it said that six doctors were caught illegally dispensing analgesic and controlled drugs to their patients in a way that could lead to addiction.
Dr Amin Al Amiri, assistant undersecretary for public health policy and license at MoH, said the decision would greatly help reduce harmful practices in dispensing drugs, make it easier for patients suffering chronic diseases and would also reduce the costs involved in dispensing drugs and as a result of repeat visits to doctors.
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