Omani authorities issue warning regarding consumption of this medicine

Oman Sunday 15/September/2019 16:20 PM
By: Times News Service
Omani authorities issue warning regarding consumption of this medicine

Muscat: Oman’s Ministry of Health, along with other competent authorities in the Sultanate and in the Gulf countries, is closely monitoring the presence of a dangerous substance in medicines in the Sultanate.

This is being done following a warning issued by the United States Food and Drug Authority (USDA).

A statement by Health Ministry said, “the Ministry is carefully following the US Food and Drug Authority warning about the presence of the substance ranitidine, commercially known as Zantac, in medicines.

This substance is usually present in medicines that are often used to treat acidity and stomach ulcers.

According the USDA, this substance may be carcinogenic.

In its warning, USDA said that is is yet to release an assessment on whether even low levels ranitidine poses significant danger.

The Health Ministry added: “Consequently, the Ministry of Health has taken the necessary precautionary measures with all competent authorities to ensure that this substance is not present in any medicine that is marketed in the Sultanate.”

The Ministry will follow closely any developments in this regard.