EXCLUSIVE: Pfizer recalls bacteria-fighting antibiotic Zithromax from UAE market
Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer has confirmed the recall of popular antibiotic Zithromax from UAE pharmacy shelves, citing 'a manufacturing-related matter' as the cause.
'Pfizer is recalling Zithromax 250mg capsules due to a manufacturing-related matter, which does not impact product quality or safety,' a Pfizer spokesperson told Arabian Business.
'Pfizer has determined the root cause and is working to implement appropriate corrective and preventive actions.'
The company emphasised patient concerns are being addressed. 'We fully realise the importance of this medicine for patients and are working as quickly as possible to resolve the matter. Patients currently taking the product should consult with their healthcare provider about alternative treatment options.'
The recall, which reportedly occurred approximately 2-3 weeks ago, has left pharmacies across the UAE without stock of the widely prescribed medication, according to multiple pharmacy sources contacted by Arabian Business.
Zithromax, which contains azithromycin, is commonly prescribed to treat various bacterial infections, including respiratory infections, skin infections, ear infections, and sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia. The medication is also used to prevent infections caused by Mycobacterium Avium-intracellulare Complex (MAC) in certain patients.
Pharmacies confirm recall
Arabian Business contacted several pharmacies across Dubai to confirm the recall. Staff at multiple locations verified that the medication had been pulled from shelves.
'The company took back all stock, it has not come back into the market yet. They didn't disclose the reason why. It was recalled 2-3 weeks ago,' said a pharmacist at MedX Pharmacy's Al Barsha branch.
A representative at another MedX branch in Dubai provided further insight. 'It was recalled almost a month ago. I guess it was a bad batch. It hasn't caused much issues in the market as there are alternative brands of the same type of antibiotic available.'
Similarly, a staff member at Aster Pharmacy's Pinnacle Tower branch confirmed, 'They recalled them a long time ago. We haven't been receiving anything. There are different brands of antibiotics people are using.'
The medication works by stopping the growth of bacteria that cause infections and is not effective against viral infections such as the common cold or flu.
Health authorities typically issue recalls of pharmaceutical products when issues related to safety, efficacy, or quality control are identified. These can range from manufacturing inconsistencies to contamination or labelling errors.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Khaleej Times
29-05-2025
- Khaleej Times
Eid Beauty Guide: How to pair butter yellow outfits with soft makeup
Butter yellow is having a serious moment — from runways to summer wardrobes, it's officially the colour of the season. But how do you pair your makeup to this dreamy pastel? Think muted elegance: soft pink eyes, peachy nude lips, and radiant skin that feels effortless yet polished. Here's your step-by-step guide to nailing the look for your Eid Al Adha celebrations. The secret to flawless makeup? Skincare first. Before any brush touches your face, skincare is key. The smoother the base, the better the finish. Exfoliate the night before using a gentle chemical exfoliant — think 10 per cent Mandelic Acid or 2 per cent Salicylic Acid — to refine texture and visibly minimise pores. This ensures your makeup glides on with an airbrushed effect. Makeup routine: Step-by-Step Step 1: Moisturise + Prep Start with a cult-favourite moisturiser like Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré. This iconic formula is a go-to for makeup artists worldwide thanks to its hydrating, non-greasy finish. Step 2: Add a Dewy Glow Follow with a strobe cream to give your skin that lit-from-within glow. MAC's updated range now includes shades for every skin tone — the finish is fresh, radiant, and universally flattering. Step 3: Prime Selectively Apply a pore-minimising primer only around the nose and cheeks for a buttery-smooth texture where you need it most. Top picks: Huda Beauty or Benefit POREfessional. Eyes: Subtle pink with a hint of peach The goal here is soft, romantic eyes that pair beautifully with pastel tones. Start with an eye primer to keep colour locked in and crease-free. Use a soft peach transition shade in the crease to blend seamlessly with your pink tones. Add a muted mauve to the outer corner for dimension and depth. Highlight the inner corners to brighten the eye. Finish with brown eyeliner and mascara to keep the look soft and peachy. Pro tip: Curl your lashes before applying mascara to open up the eyes. Top picks: Make Up For Ever or Benefit mascaras work wonders. After the eye look is complete, clean up any fallout with micellar water — then it's time for base. Base: Fresh, sheer, and summery Step 4: Go Sheer A lightweight, sheer foundation gives your skin that second-skin finish — perfect for this understated look. Step 5: Conceal Strategically Use a concealer one shade lighter under the eyes and for spot correction only where needed. Step 6: Cream Blush, Always To maintain the peachy theme, opt for a coral or peach-pink cream blush. Top picks: Inglot or Natasha Denona have excellent formulas. Step 7: Set Only Where Needed Dust a translucent powder over the T-zone to mattify without dulling your glow. Top picks: Laura Mercier or Huda Beauty setting powders. Finishing touches Step 8: Skip the Contour Instead of harsh contours, use a cream or powder bronzer for a soft, sun-kissed warmth. Step 9: Highlight Where It Catches Use a champagne or rose gold highlighter on the bridge of your nose, cheekbones, cupid's bow, and chin. Apply with a fan brush for a naturally dispersed glow. Top picks: Bobbi Brown's Pink Glow or Benefit's Cookie Highlighter. Step 10: Lock It All In A dewy setting spray like Inglot's Illuminising Face Mist seals the look while enhancing glow. Mist evenly across the face, then use a handheld fan for a quick dry-down. Lips & Brows Lips: A peach-pink lipstick or coral nude topped with a clear gloss brings freshness and ties the whole look together. Brows: Keep it natural by filling in with a dark brown powder or shadow to maintain softness and definition. This look is all about balance — soft tones, glowing skin, and a touch of colour that complements the season's brightest trend. Whether you're dressing up for festive feast or golden hour selfies, these subtle touches will keep you looking as fresh and luminous as butter yellow feels.
Zawya
21-05-2025
- Zawya
International and regional experts focus on RSV prevention at Pfizer MERA Maternal Immunization Summit
The Pfizer Middle East, Russia and Africa (MERA) Maternal Immunization Summit: Born Ready brought together more than 80 medical experts, physicians, and healthcare professionals together in Cairo, Egypt to share insights on the latest efforts to prevent RSV in newborns The summit highlighted the critical role of maternal vaccinations in the successful prevention of RSV and shed light on global best practices for such vaccination programs. Dubai, UAE – More than 80 international and regional healthcare experts have convened at the Pfizer MERA Maternal Immunization Summit: Born Ready to discuss issues pertaining to maternal immunization. The summit, entitled 'RISE: Respiratory Immunization Summit for Excellence' and, held from 16-17 May 2025 in Cairo, Egypt, focused on the growing burden of neonatal respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and the role of maternal vaccination in its successful prevention. The summit aimed to increase awareness of the virus and its impact, in addition to the importance of maternal immunization in preventing RSV and protecting newborns. Experts addressed the challenges and barriers to the adoption of maternal immunization, shared best practices, and explored how healthcare providers can more effectively implement maternal immunization programs in the region. Professor Irene Cetin, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Milan and Head of Obstetrics, Mangiagalli Policlinico Hospital Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda, Milan, Italy, said: 'Maternal immunization leverages the natural pregnancy process whereby antibodies – disease-fighting molecules – pass naturally from mother to baby through the placenta, starting in the second trimester and peaking during the third. Maternal antibodies help protect infants at birth and during the first few months of life, before they are eligible to receive vaccinations themselves.' The administration of a vaccine to an expectant mother activates the maternal immune system, triggering the production of immunoglobin G (IgG) antibodies, which pass through the placenta from the parental bloodstream. Professor Mohamed Momtaz, Emeritus Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kasr Al Ainy Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt, said: 'Because of the way the placenta pumps antibodies into the fetus during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, fetal IgG concentration usually exceeds the concentration of antibodies in the maternal circulation in full-term infants, meaning the baby is better protected from infectious diseases than the mother. This highlights the tremendous potential of maternal immunization to help prevent transmission of communicable diseases and reduce the impact of infections such as RSV. Furthermore, events like this summit encourage evidence-based conversations between healthcare providers and expectant mothers, while also highlighting practical approaches to communication and appropriate data sharing.' According to the World Health Organization, RSV – a seasonal virus that leads to infections of the lungs and respiratory tract – is the most common cause of acute lower respiratory infections in children globally [i], responsible for an estimated 33 million such infections, more than three million hospitalizations and almost 60,000 deaths per year in children under 5 years of age [ii]. This trend is reflected regionally, where RSV infections are the leading cause of acute respiratory tract infections in young children, typically peaking during the winter months or the rainy season in humid countries. Professor Hossam Al Tatari, Director of General Pediatrics and Pediatric Infectious Diseases Services at The Heart Medical Center, Al Ain, UAE said: 'RSV infection is very common, affecting almost all children within two years from birth. In adults and older, healthy children, RSV typically produces mild symptoms that mimic the common cold, but in the newborn babies below 6 months, and those otherwise immunocompromised, such as babies born prematurely, the infection can prove life-threatening. It is imperative that we explore every possible avenue to mitigate the risks associated with RSV, and take every step to prevent transmission, especially to the most vulnerable amongst us.' Highlighting the benefits of maternal immunization to newborns and immunocompromised infants, Dr Hammam Haridy, Senior Director Regional Medical & Scientific Affairs at Pfizer MERA said: 'Infections such as RSV, while potentially dangerous, are preventable with vaccination. Despite the significant impact of RSV in the region and across the globe, comprehensive and consistent region-wide surveillance and burden data across the Middle East and North Africa region are currently limited. Forums such as the Maternal Immunization Summit are therefore crucial to drive buy-in of healthcare providers in order to increase awareness and tackle vaccine hesitancy. By providing a platform via which stakeholders can connect and share data and insights, we can drive the conversation around maternal vaccination, ensuring we make best use of available data in our interactions.' Both the World Health Organization and the Strategic Group of Experts on Immunization recommend countries adopt measures to prevent severe RSV in infants [iii], with decisions on whether to use maternal immunization or monoclonal antibodies dependent upon a number of factors. Emphasizing the need for collaboration between the medical community and vaccine developers to ensure maximum success in prevention, Merih Cetinkaya, Professor of Pediatrics, Health Sciences University and Head of Neonatology at Basaksehir Cam Sakura, City Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey, said: 'Communicable diseases such as RSV have considerable impact on neonatal health, affecting both our populations and our healthcare systems, and vaccinations remain a cornerstone in lessening this impact. As healthcare providers, we share responsibility with stakeholders across the healthcare landscape to understand such diseases, to leverage innovation and technology, and to ensure equitable access to life-saving vaccines, especially for the most vulnerable members of our communities.' During the event, Pfizer underscored its ongoing commitment to shaping the future of public health through the power of vaccines. Over the years, Pfizer's vaccines have played a vital role in preventing, controlling, and in some cases nearly eradicating infectious diseases, safeguarding millions of lives around the world and across the MERA region. As a leader in biopharmaceutical innovation, the company remains deeply invested in research and development, driving forward new solutions with the aim of enhancing patient outcomes and advancing global health. About Pfizer: Breakthroughs That Change Patients' Lives At Pfizer, we apply science and our global resources to bring therapies to people that extend and significantly improve their lives. We strive to set the standard for quality, safety, and value in the discovery, development, and manufacture of health care products, including innovative medicines and vaccines. Every day, Pfizer colleagues work across developed and emerging markets to advance wellness, prevention, treatments, and cures that challenge the most feared diseases of our time. Consistent with our responsibility as one of the world's premier innovative biopharmaceutical companies, we collaborate with health care providers, governments, and local communities to support and expand access to reliable, affordable health care around the world. For more than 150 years, we have worked to make a difference for all who rely on us. We routinely post information that may be important to investors on our website at
Web Release
08-05-2025
- Web Release
New Era for Hemophilia Care in the UAE: Pfizer Introduces First Prefilled Injectable Therapy
By Editor_wr On May 8, 2025 Pfizer announced today the launch of a new and innovative therapy for people living with hemophilia in the UAE. This marks a significant advancement in care for individuals affected by this rare and serious bleeding disorder. Hemophilia is a rare genetic bleeding disorder in which the blood fails to clot properly, leading to prolonged bleeding that can be either spontaneous or occur after an injury[1]. Unlike traditional clotting factor replacements, Pfizer's new therapy targets the tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI), a natural anticoagulant protein. By inhibiting TFPI, the treatment helps restore balance to the body's clotting process, reducing the frequency of bleeding episodes. This advanced therapy is administered once a week through a simple injection under the skin using a prefilled autoinjector pen. It is the first prefilled injectable therapy available in the UAE, designed to make treatment more convenient and accessible for patients, while reducing the burden of frequent infusions. Dr. Nadine Tarcha, Pfizer Gulf Medical Director, said: 'The introduction of this therapy reflects Pfizer's ongoing commitment to improving the lives of people with rare diseases. By combining scientific innovation with a more convenient delivery method, we aim to empower individuals with hemophilia to live with greater confidence and improved quality of life.' According to the World Federation of Hemophilia's 2023 Annual Global Survey[2], more than 32,000 in the Eastern Mediterranean region have been diagnosed with hemophilia. This represents less than half of the expected number of cases, suggesting that many individuals remain undiagnosed or lack access to appropriate care. These findings emphasize the importance of early diagnosis and patient-friendly treatment options that can support better long-term outcomes. The introduction of this therapy supports the UAE's broader healthcare vision, which prioritizes access to innovative treatments and improved quality of care for people living with complex and rare conditions. Patients are encouraged to speak with their healthcare provider to determine whether this treatment may be appropriate for their condition. Comments are closed.
