108 new drugs get
 the ministry nod

108 new drugs get
 the ministry nod Asma Ali Zain / 7 July 2013 As many as 108 new drugs for different ailments including for the treatment of diabetes, high blood pressure, allergies and cardiac issues have been approved by the Health Ministry. Dr Amin Hussein Al Amiri chairing a meeting of the National Supreme Drug Registration and Pricing Committee in Abu Dhabi recently. — Supplied photo Clinical studies on two new drugs for tumours have also been approved in two hospitals, said Dr Amin Hussein Al Amiri, Assistant Undersecretary for Medical Practices and Licensing, on Saturday. The ministry also cancelled the registration of eye drops of Quinax brand used for the treatment of cataract since the drug is no longer registered in the country of origin. The decisions were taken at a meeting held by the National Supreme Drug Registration and Pricing Committee held in Abu Dhabi. Prescription curbs eased Doctors will be able to prescribe semi-controlled drugs more freely under a recently changed prescription method implemented by the Health Ministry, said a senior official on Saturday. The new prescription method will reduce patient visits to doctors, lessen the burden on insurance companies and prevent misuse, said Dr Amin Hussein Al Amiri, Assistant Undersecretary for Medical Practices and Licensing at the ministry. The prescription would mainly be for drugs used for psychiatric patients. Under the change, a consultant or specialist concerned will now be able to prescribe drugs for up to three months instead of the earlier one month. This includes two refills which mean patients would not need to visit a doctor again to obtain a refill, said Dr Amiri. Likewise, a general consultant can prescribe for a total of two months while a general practitioner could prescribe for one month only (earlier it was one week). asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com Of the 108 new medicines, 13 are innovative drugs, 16 are biological and 91 are generic medicines produced by local, GCC-based and some international pharmaceutical factories. “This approval has been given after an in-depth study done on the bio-quality of these drugs to ensure they are effective and can provide multi-substitutes for medicines,” said Dr Amiri. “We also hope that with the addition of these drugs, there will be no shortage in the country and patients can fulfil their needs,” he added. The committee approved the registration of seven new drug factories but deferred the registration  of two others for not meeting the full technical conditions. It also decided to cancel the registration of one Arab medicine manufacturing factory as per the recommendations of the executive office of the GCC health ministers for not adhering to the specifications. The committee also refuted arguments of an international firm for patent of one of its medicines used for psychiatric ailments as the patent had expired in the country of origin. asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com Taylor Scott International