4 new medications listed as narcotics

Four new medications have been listed as narcotic substances by the Ministry of Health. Orbifen, Tramadol hydrochloride, Trihexyphenidyl (Artane, Apo-Trihex), and Kemadrin (procyclidine hydrochloride) and all their salts as raw or processed materials were named as narcotic substances by the higher committee for reviewing medication tables at the ministry. The move came as an application of the Cabinet decision No. 15 for 2011. The cabinet's decision resulted from recommendations made by the higher committee after a number of meetings, discussions and long deliberations. Article continues below Dr Hanif Hassan, Minister of Health, attended a part of the committee meetings that were held lately in Dubai and commended the level of discussions and efforts in this context, all of which are of benefit to the country's people. Dr Hassan pointed out the importance of the committee's work, stressing that the resulting recommendations and suggestions are a serious indicator of the committee's important work and the serious follow-up of all developments. The Minister of Health also expressed his high appreciation of the important role played by the security authorities in the country and its cooperation with the ministry, especially the criminal investigation department at the Ministry of Interior, the Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah Police Departments. Dr Ameen Hussain Al Amiri, Assistant Undersecretary of the medical affairs and licences department at the Ministry of Health, made a presentation which covered the committee's work process to date, including the meetings held by the committee with other related departments and sections in the country such as Dubai Customs, the Dubai Economic Department, the Customs Authority in Sharjah and other entities. He also spoke about the efforts made by the technical committee and its work towards amending the narcotic list attached to the narcotics law, and the recommendations and suggestions made to add the medical substances considered narcotic substances to the list. Prohibited Medications newly listed as narcotic substances - Orbifen - Tramadol hydrochloride - Trihexyphenidyl (Artane, Apo-Trihex) - Kemadrin (procyclidine hydrochloride