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QNA
Doha
The Ministry of Public Health on Tuesday said pharmaceutical products containing Metformin in Qatar is safe to use and free from a potential carcinogen that prompted the recall of such products in the US. Metformin is often given as the first line of treatment for patients with Type II diabetes.
A laboratory analysis of samples of pharmaceutical products containing metformin collected from private and public pharmacies in Qatar shows they are free from N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), a genotoxic substance and known carcinogen often found in contaminated water or cured and grilled foods.
MoPH indicated that it continues to take samples and conducts the necessary analysis in the drug control laboratories affiliated with the Ministry for all pharmaceutical preparations that contain metformin that come to Qatar, as well as continuous communication with international organizations and regulatory bodies in this regard.
This comes in the framework of the continuous follow-up by the MoPH from what is issued by international organizations and regulatory bodies, as well as after receiving information from the American Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency stating that initial analysis of drugs containing metformin revealed that some of these drugs contain the NDMA substance at higher levels than the permitted rates, and that this substance is considered among the potentially carcinogenic substances.
The MoPH recommended that patients with diabetes continue to use these preparations and not to drop them in order to treat diabetes, as well as to continue to monitor their health with doctors and health care providers.
Metformin is a drug used to treat diabetes and its trade name is registered as Glucophage, while NDMA is present in nature but in small and safe proportions.
Doha
The Ministry of Public Health on Tuesday said pharmaceutical products containing Metformin in Qatar is safe to use and free from a potential carcinogen that prompted the recall of such products in the US. Metformin is often given as the first line of treatment for patients with Type II diabetes.
A laboratory analysis of samples of pharmaceutical products containing metformin collected from private and public pharmacies in Qatar shows they are free from N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), a genotoxic substance and known carcinogen often found in contaminated water or cured and grilled foods.
MoPH indicated that it continues to take samples and conducts the necessary analysis in the drug control laboratories affiliated with the Ministry for all pharmaceutical preparations that contain metformin that come to Qatar, as well as continuous communication with international organizations and regulatory bodies in this regard.
This comes in the framework of the continuous follow-up by the MoPH from what is issued by international organizations and regulatory bodies, as well as after receiving information from the American Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency stating that initial analysis of drugs containing metformin revealed that some of these drugs contain the NDMA substance at higher levels than the permitted rates, and that this substance is considered among the potentially carcinogenic substances.
The MoPH recommended that patients with diabetes continue to use these preparations and not to drop them in order to treat diabetes, as well as to continue to monitor their health with doctors and health care providers.
Metformin is a drug used to treat diabetes and its trade name is registered as Glucophage, while NDMA is present in nature but in small and safe proportions.
