Augmentin syrup safe, says MoH June 16, 2011 DUBAI: The UAE Ministry of Health (MoH) on Wednesday ruled out any possibilities of threat to public health from the widely-used paediatric antibiotic syrup, Augmentin. The MoH has assured that the antibacterial drug available at pharmacies across the country is safe for the treatment of respiratory, gastrointestinal and dental infections in children. Two Augmentin medications, made by UK's giant drug manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline, had been recalled in Taiwan and Hong Kong a couple of days ago as traces of chemical additives were found in the syrup, which is commonly prescribed for children over one month old. Dr Amin Hussein Al Amiri, assistant undersecretary for Medical Practices and Licensing at the MoH, said that the Augmentin syrup 165 mg circulated in the UAE is not included in the batches withdrawn internationally. "GlaxoSmithKline's GCC regional office confirmed to the UAE health ministry that the serial number of the Augmentin antibiotic is different from those of the recalled medicines in Taiwan," he clarified. "The drug manufacturer confirmed that it purchased the Augmentin syrup 165/mg in bottles from Saudi Arabia to supply in the UAE, carrying a different serial number from that of the one mentioned in Taiwan, where the medicine is originally imported from France." The Taiwan government had stated that samples of the UK-made Augmentin powder for syrup 156 mg/5 ml and 457 mg/5 ml were found to contain more than 10 parts-per-million of Di-isodecyl phthalate, known as DIDP. Continuous intake of the chemical may have side effects on infants' liver and hormones. Tests in Hong Kong found the DIDP in the French-made Augmentin powder for syrup 156mg/5ml at a level of 18ppm. The concentration of the chemical in the infant syrup was confirmed to be twice the amount specified by the European Pharmaceutical Association. Dr Ali Ziwar, director of Medical Sector and Pharmaceutical Registration at GlaxoSmithKline- Gulf, stated that authorities in Taiwan tested the Augmentin syrup, which proved to have the presence of the additives.
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