(MEBG) — The UAE is tightening regulations for the distribution of drugs, in part because the country's increasing popularity as a source for pharmaceutical products for residents of neighboring countries.
One problem being tackled is the multiple use of prescriptions. Because prescriptions are often not fully monitored and taken away by the pharmacist upon being presented, patients frequently make multiple uses of the same prescription in different pharmacies, or with different members of staff of the same pharmacy. This, in addition to nationals offering medicines to expatriate friends abroad, is thought to have endangered safety of the UAE medical system.
In response to the problem, the country's medical authorities recently installed a computerized system in pharmacies for the supervision of prescription drugs of each patient. But despite the efficacy of the system, it still only provides partial information and to date does not really assist in monitoring of doctors' diagnoses, including why medication was prescribed.
The UAE has become a popular pharmaceutical center in the Middle East, mainly due to its fair pricing system and abundantly stocked pharmacies, at least relative to neighboring countries.
Panadol is among the most popular and frequently bought over-the-counter drug in the UAE.
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