Augmentin Antibotics banned in UAE

I wonder if this is the same one they give out here. Every time I take my kids to the clinic they give Augmentin like it's going out of style.


"The Ministry of Health has banned an antibiotic medicine commonly used for the treatment of children after it was found unit for human use.

The health authorities have issued a circular to all pharmacies, medical centres and hospitals to withdraw Augmentin 250 Suspension with Batch No. 517,999 and manufactured by pharmaceutical firm GlaxoSmithKline.

Dr. Amin Hussein Al Amiri, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health and Assistant Undersecretary for Medical Practices and Licences, Chairman of the Vigilance Committee Pharmaceuticals, said the circular was part of the ministry's keenness to preserve the public interest and community health.

The health ministry has asked the manufacturer to withdraw the product from the market because it contains small pieces of plastic in the medicine which got mixed while manufacturing. The ministry also asked the manufacturer not to import new contaminated bottles from the same batch as the medicine is unfit for human use.

The ministry has asked the manufacturer to provide registration and administration details of the drug and also the results of the withdrawal, Dr. Amiri said.

The manufacturer has also been asked to ensure supply of medicine from the other batch numbers so there is no shortage of the medicine in the market.

The Ministry of Health also alerted healthcare practitioners to inform their patients in this regard to avoid using drug from this batch if they have it at home.

Dr. Amiri advised that in case of any side effects, please fill out the form for side effects of the drug ADR which is available on http://www.cpd-pharma.ae or contact the following numbers: Telephone: 02-6117391 or 6117642 or Fax 02-6313742 or email pv@moh.gov.ae.

The undersecretary confirmed that this warning is directed to all healthcare practitioners to follow their patients, pointing out that the circular was distributed to all stakeholders and relevant health and bodies operating in the country."

I will have to keep an eye out for this product.