(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Ministry of health dubai police to launch e-watch on distribution of new drugs known as spice.
the ministry of health will list 400 new drugs known as “spice” in the category of controlled medicines in the narcotics law.
major-general abdul rahman mohammed rafi assistant chief commander for community affairs and supplies of dubai police; and dr mohammed murad abdullah director of decision making and support centre at dubai police hq during the hemaya international forum on tuesday. — kt photo by juidin bernarrd
these drugs can be prescribed and obtained only upon the submission of the emirates id and that too once a month and electronically a top official said.
the move is part of an innovative electronic system the moh is to launch soon in collaboration with dubai police to control the prescription and sale of these chemically synthesised medicines.
this was announced by dr amin al amiri assistant undersecretary at the moh for medical practices and licensing on tuesday at the 10th hemaya (protection) international forum themed ‘the international standards for the development of national and regional strategies for drug prevention’.
“as per the new scheme the first of its kind in the arab world all malpractitioners — individuals psychiatrists and pharmacists — shall be put under surveillance from the very time these spices are imported via accredited agents” he said.
all details about psychotropic drug shipments will be keyed into the system and the drugs will be tracked down when delivered or sold from any of the 420 drug stores or 2420 pharmacies in the uae.
“psychiatrists are permitted to prescribe only one of the listed medicines which are stringently monitored to avoid side effects and possible drug addiction.”
dr al amiri said neither the psychiatrist not the patient can manipulate the new system.
“the patient can collect his regular dose by submitting his emirates id at any pharmacy with no need to visit his psychiatrist to get a new prescription. he will never get an extra tablet from anywhere.”
speaking to khaleej times dr al amiri said five psychiatrists have been blacklisted and their moh licences cancelled for randomly selling spice drugs to young people and addicts without prescriptions. though the phenomenon had a low prevalence rate dr al amiri said they are being dealt with in a “zero tolerance” manner.
he urged the public to be careful about the drugs they brought into the country to avoid legal action. moh in coordination with the telecommunications regulatory authority has blocked many websites offering spice medicines online.
the main problem is that the banned drugs can be manufactured at home and distributed through cargo companies.
“these synthetic drugs are being smuggled into the country as foodstuff and herbs” he said.
according to the un some 60 per cent of the addictions worldwide are related to spice abuse.
dr al amiri said these drugs though unsafe are consumed to forget or escape from problems out of curiosity or defiance pressure for relaxation and even for attracting others.
ahmedshaaban?khaleejtimes.com
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.