UAE’s efforts to combat faux pharmaceuticals [[Dubai, UAE]]

The plain white boxes with dull grey lettering
that line pharmacy shelves are supposed to contain medicine to improve
people’s well being. But worldwide concern over the legitimacy of
pharmaceuticals has increased markedly in the last three years.

At
an open forum attended by representatives of the Ministry of Health and
private sector on Thursday in Sharjah, a representative pharmaceutical
company Pfizer, said there is still a threat in the Middle East despite
recent initiatives to curb illicit trade in fake – and potentially
harmful – medicines.

By Sajila Saseendran and Emily Meredith

15 February 2009