Warning issued against Dragon Wolverine

Iman Abdullah, Staff Reporter

The Ministry of Health and Community Protection has issued a circular to all health facilities and health care practitioners, warning against the use of the food supplement Dragon Wolverine - tablets, because it contains undeclared substances that may cause a sharp drop in blood pressure to a dangerous level. The Ministry withdrew the product and prevented its circulation or importing it.

The ministry pointed out that the product used as a food supplement has been proven to contain two undeclared pharmaceutical substances, sildafil, which may cause a sharp drop in blood pressure.

The supplement, according to the ministry also contained chloramphenicol, an antibiotic that is only given with a prescription.

The Ministry confirmed the product is not registered with the Drug Administration and recommended health facilities and health-care practitioners of the private sector to take the necessary measures to withdraw it from the market and prevent its circulation or import.

On Saturday, the Ministry of Health and Prevention and the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority  announced the closure, starting March 22, of public and private beaches, parks, swimming pools, movie theatres, and sports halls and lounges for a period of two weeks.

The two authorities also decided to regulate the operation of restaurants, cafes, and F&B outlets for the same period.

The decision, which is subject to re-assessment after two weeks, states that restaurants, cafes, and F&B outlets will continue home delivery services during the closure period. They can also serve customers, provided only 20 percent of the seating capacity is used at any given time so that the necessary distance between people can be maintained. A physical distance of two meters between customers, in addition to other sanitation and public hygiene measures, must be ensured. Outdoor and self-order kiosks are exempted.

The two authorities have urged all relevant federal, local, and private institutions to ensure compliance with these decisions as per the law and to roll out all necessary guidelines to boost public awareness of the new measures.