DOHA: Diane 35, a popular acne drug, also widely used as a contraceptive, is still being sold in Qatar despite growing international concerns over harmful side effects.
The UAE Health Ministry on Tuesday temporarily suspended the import and sale of the drug based on recommendations of the French Drugs Agency (ANSM),
Recent reports from France have linked the drug to four deaths and blood clots in 100 women leading to its sale being suspended in the country.
The Pharmacy and Drug Control Department at the Supreme Council of Health (SCH) said yesterday that it is closely following the issue and will not hesitate to take stern action. It confirmed the absence of a ban on the sale of the medicine till now.
“We have written to the manufacturing company to inform us about the issue and we are waiting for explanation from more than one manufacturer and the higher authorities in the European Union,” a source at the department told Al Sharq.
The medicine has been sold all over the world for more than 25 years and is registered in more than 100 countries, it added.
Enquiries with several pharmacies yesterday revealed that Diane 35 is available in the local market and is in high demand.
“It is the most popular acne pill which many people here also use as a contraceptive. There is high demand for the medicine, especially from some segments of expatriates on a daily basis,” said a pharmacist.
“We are not aware of any plans to ban the medicine in Qatar, although a controversy is raging over it in the facebook,” he added.
The UAE has suspended the medicine until the final evaluation of the product is done by international health authorities, local newspapers reported yesterday.
The European Medicines Authority is currently examining the medicine in its laboratories and the Therapeutic Goods Administration in Australia has issued a safety alert on the drug.
The Peninsula
