UAE bans veterinary use of antibiotic in bid to tackle drug resistance

The United Arab Emirates has announced a ban on the veterinary use of ciprofloxacin, an antibiotic commonly used to treat bacterial infections in animals. The ban, set to take effect on November 1, is part of a broader initiative to combat drug resistance and enhance patient safety. Ciprofloxacin belongs to the fluoroquinolone class of antibiotics, which are classified by the World Health Organization as critically important antimicrobials (CIAs) for human medicine due to their effectiveness in treating conditions such as urinary tract infections, sepsis, pneumonia, and joint infections.

The Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE), the UAE's national pharmaceutical regulator, has taken this step to preserve the effectiveness of treatments used in human medicine, as inappropriate use of the drug in animals could contribute to the development of bacterial resistance, thereby posing a significant public health challenge.

The ban applies to nine veterinary medicinal products and raw materials containing ciprofloxacin, including eight imported items and one locally registered product. The EDE has instructed relevant establishments to halt manufacturing, importation, and supply of these products, as well as to withdraw existing stocks from the local market before the ban takes effect. Compliance with the ban will be monitored through a planned enforcement mechanism.

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