In an attempt to control growing trend of regional trade in counterfeit products, the UAE government has been working out a law for making re-export of medicinal drugs illegal.

The proposed Federal Pharmacy Law (Amended) would be incorporated with provisions of strict jail term and fines to the offenders.

Dr. Amin Al Amiri, CEO, Medical Practice and License at the UAE Health Ministry told media persons, “Both registered and unregistered medicines will not be allowed in the country for re- export.”

Amiri was speaking in the sidelines of the two-day regional conference on fighting counterfeit medicines organized by Pfizer.

He said that some trades have strong network of deals in European countries and reports suggest that UAE contributes around one percent in the fake drugs detected in the European Union.

The concerned health authorities conducted a sudden raid in 2007 recovering medicines worth $5.4 million. Dubai Customs seized 293 tonnes of counterfeit medicines during the first five months of 2008.

Dr. Hanif Hassan, UAE Minister of Health, said, “The ministry has prepared a draft federal law in this regard that will include legalities commensurate with the magnitude of the problem.”