Ministry of Health withdraws a drug

Iman Abdullah Al Ali, Staff Reporter

The Ministry of Health and Community Protection withdrew one batch of the medical product “Dopamine HCL 200mg/5ml

Ampoule” because it did not pass the product particle test.

Dopamine is a drug which stimulates the heart and has effects on the blood vessels.

In detail, The Ministry issued a circular to health-care practitioners in the private health sector on the recall of the product of Martindale pharmaceuticals, UK.

The Ministry confirmed that the results of laboratory analysis demonstrated that the product No. 94758 did not pass the optical particle test.

The Ministry also called the manufacturer to withdraw the batch from the public and private health sectors, instructed all healthcare practitioners not to use the batch, and asked all pharmacies to stop selling them and return to the supplier.

Separately, the Ministry of Community Development, MoCD, has launched four interactive channels under a new initiative named ‘Taaluf’ to provide family counselling for free to all UAE community members.

In a statement, the Ministry said that the launch of the counselling initiative aims to mitigate the psychosocial and mental health impacts of COVID-19 on individuals during home quarantines and social distancing.

Commenting on the announcement, Hessa Tahlak, Assistant Under-Secretary for Social Development at the Ministry, said that the ‘Taaluf’ family counselling initiative; with its four new interactive channels, promotes the stability, cohesion and coherence of the family, the foundation of any community, and seeks to achieve a better family reality and a more beautiful social life. It focuses on interaction and dialogue to disseminate knowledge, guidance and make consultation easier and faster, reaching out to all members of the UAE community.

Tahlak added that the initiative is available 24/7, and takes into account an individual’s privacy and confidentiality. She explained that Taaluf is an important tool for individuals to utilise during times where home quarantine and social distancing practices are being applied.