Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) has decided to make tracking labels mandatory for all veterinary drugs in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

All pharmacies and veterinary depots are now required to stick labels to the drug container containing complete information about the pharmacy or depot selling the drugs. The decision comes with a view to guard against and easily track in case of any potential health risks to humans or animals from the drugs.

Mohamed Jalal Al Reyaysa, Director of Communication and Community Service at ADFCA, said that the mandatory tracking labels on the drug container should contain the name of the pharmacy or depot that sells the drugs, its location and phone number. "This step has been taken in order to regulate the sale of veterinary drugs better and to preempt their random circulation. This is crucial to protecting the rights of the consumers," he pointed out.

"The label will come in handy in case of any untoward incident involving veterinary drugs. The consumer has the right to get safe products. We call upon the public not to buy veterinary drugs not having the tracking label on the container. The decision is based on two decrees from the Ministry of Environment and Water concerning technical and health conditions for veterinary depots and pharmacies," Al Reyaysa explained.

Al Reyaysa stressed that the veterinary establishments had been given sufficient time � up to two months � to implement the decision. Routine inspections will now focus on following up the implementation," he said.

The move, Al Reyaysa explained, is part of ADFCA's efforts at establishing a tracking system for products across the chain of production and distribution, starting from the factory all the way up to the consumer. "It is possible for the consumer to ensure the drug seller's adherence to the rules and regulations concerning registration of all veterinary drugs, their quality and preservation methods. The tracking system makes the whole process much more effective now," he added.

The Veterinary Services Unit of ADFCA is currently on an inspection program, in partnership with the establishments, to explain to the depots and pharmacies the rules and regulations that private veterinary establishments have to follow, besides the methods of circulating veterinary drugs and the list of prohibited drugs. The inspectors are also emphasizing, with the onset of summer, the correct preservation methods for drugs.