UAE bans use of antibiotic ciprofloxacin in animals

The UAE will ban the use of the antibiotic ciprofloxacin in animals from November 1, to help preserve its effectiveness in treating people.

The Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE) says the move is part of efforts to tackle antimicrobial resistance, which happens when bacteria adapt and medicines stop working against them.

Ciprofloxacin is classed as a critically important antibiotic for human medicine because of its role in treating certain bacterial infections. The EDE says misusing it in animals could help bacteria build resistance, making the drug less effective for people.

The ban covers veterinary medicines and raw materials containing ciprofloxacin. Nine products are affected: eight imported and one registered locally.

Companies have been told to stop manufacturing, importing and supplying the products, and to remove any stock from the market before the ban takes effect. Remaining stock must be re-exported or disposed of under approved procedures.

The decision follows a scientific review of antimicrobial resistance data, including studies submitted by United Arab Emirates University.

Dr Ruqaya Aqeel Al Bastaki, Acting Executive Director of the Medical Products Regulation Sector at the EDE, said scientific evidence plays a key role in deciding when regulators need to step in.

The EDE says it is preparing a plan to monitor whether companies comply with the ban.