Latest news with #HilalbinAlialSabti
Muscat Daily
5 days ago
- Business
- Muscat Daily
MoH tightens rules on promotion, marketing of drugs in Oman
Muscat – Ministry of Health (MoH) has announced new regulations for advertising and promoting medicines aimed at safeguarding public health and ensuring ethical marketing practices in the pharmaceutical sector. Issued by H E Dr Hilal bin Ali al Sabti, Minister of Health, Ministerial Decision No 135/2025 outlines procedures and conditions that pharmaceutical firms, agents and consultants must follow before promoting any medicinal product in Oman. The decision was issued on May 29 and will come into effect from today. Under the new rules, only licensed pharmaceutical companies, authorised local agents and approved pharmaceutical consulting offices can advertise medicines. All advertising must be pre-approved by the Drug Safety Centre. To be eligible for a licence, the product must be registered, and the advertising content must match the approved drug leaflet and summary of product characteristics. It must clearly define the target audience and avoid any wording that could mislead consumers, exaggerate benefits, harm public health or breach public morals. 'The objective is to protect consumers from misleading information and to ensure that advertisements remain factual and within the ethical boundaries of public health,' a ministry official said. Applicants must submit a copy of the advertisement, the drug's registration certificate, proof of fee payment and any other documents requested by the centre. The Drug Safety Centre is mandated to respond within 60 days. No response within that timeframe implies rejection. If an application is found incomplete, the applicant will be given 30 days to address shortcomings. Failure to do so within that period will result in application cancellation. Licences are valid for three months and may be renewed for similar periods. Renewal requests must be submitted at least 20 days before licence expiry and will be assessed under the same terms. Advertisers must include the licence number in all materials and documentation, use only approved formats and obtain prior approval for any change. Advertising prescription-only medicines is restricted to scientific publications or at conferences and professional meetings attended by pharmacists and healthcare workers.
Observer
27-05-2025
- Health
- Observer
Combating trans fatty acids in food supplies
The Sultanate of Oman has further enhanced its impressive list of accolades by receiving a new ranking from the World Health Organisation (WHO) for its efforts in eliminating industrially produced trans fats from food supplies. Other countries that have been recognised for adopting this best-policy for reducing trans fats in their national food supplies by 2025 include the Republic of Austria, the Kingdom of Norway and the Republic of Singapore. According to Oman's state-run news agency, the WHO recognition reflects the country's strong commitment to enhancing the quality of life, consolidating preventive healthcare, and improving public health indicators. This aligns with the strategic objectives of Oman Vision 2040, which aims to elevate the nation to the ranks of developed countries, with health as a top priority. The news agency quoted Dr Hilal bin Ali al Sabti, Minister of Health, as saying, 'The elimination of trans fats represents a significant milestone in our commitment to promoting and protecting community health. Oman takes pride in being one of the nine leading countries globally and the second country in the Arab world to implement this life-saving policy aimed at eliminating this harmful ingredient.' Oman's healthcare system emphasises quality, transparency and accountability. It features a national framework designed to promote and protect public health in accordance with precautionary principles, validated scientific evidence and international health regulations. In 2022, Oman took action in combatting trans-fatty acids, when it issued a ban on the production, import and marketing of partially hydrogenated oils and food products in which these oils are used. The ban was issued by the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries and Water Resources and it came into effect on July 24, 2022. The decision was expected, given that the problem of high trans-fatty acid intake among the Omani population was highlighted in the National Nutrition Strategy 2020–2030, where such a measure was also proposed. Trans fats, also known as trans fatty acids, are unsaturated fats found in both industrial and natural sources. Their use has increased dramatically in recent years because they tend to be cheaper and are suitable for a variety of processed food products. The World Health Organization has set a target to implement best-practice policies in countries that account for at least 90 per cent of the global trans fats burden by the end of 2025, with a goal of reaching at least 70 per cent within each region. But the global progress remains inadequate, despite policy intention across regions. To date, only 60 countries have adopted these policies, which collectively cover 46 per cent of the world's population. Experts warn that the consumption of in ultra-processed packaging can have severe health consequences. They describe these foods as an open invitation to non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and even cancer. A high intake of trans fats, defined by the UN health agency as more than one per cent of total energy intake, is associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease and mortality. The consumption of trans fats elevates levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, a recognised biomarker for cardiovascular diseases. Research indicates that diets high in trans fats can increase the risk of heart disease by 21 per cent and the risk of death by 28 per cent. Trans fat intake is responsible for up to 500,000 premature deaths from coronary heart disease each year. "Eliminating industrially produced trans fats is one of the most cost-effective strategies for reducing the global burden of cardiovascular diseases. Trans fats significantly contribute to preventable deaths each year, particularly due to their impact on heart health," stated Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. Countries must implement best-practice policies, like restricting trans fats to 2 grammes per 100 grammes of total fat or prohibiting partially hydrogenated oils, and also show strict enforcement and monitoring to qualify for the WHO's validation programme, the UN health agency notes. Samuel Kutty The writer is a freelance journalist and author who worked in Oman and India
Observer
24-05-2025
- Health
- Observer
Oman vows to support WHO's programmes
GENEVA: The Sultanate of Oman vowed to provide support to the World Health Organization (WHO) in implementing its programmes and activities aimed at enhancing the health of individuals and communities in the member states particularly in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. This came during a meeting between a delegation from the Sultanate of Oman, headed by Dr Hilal bin Ali al Sabti, Minister of Health and Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) on the sidelines of the 78th General Assembly in Geneva. The minister of health discussed with the Director-General of the WHO some proposals to facilitate the organisation's mission in the Sultanate of Oman and the region. — ONA
Observer
20-05-2025
- Health
- Observer
Oman, Cuba sign MoC in health fields
GENEVA: The Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of Cuba signed, in Geneva, a memorandum of cooperation (MoC) in the fields of health and medical sciences. The MoC seeks to enhance cooperation, exchange expertise and ameliorate health systems in both countries. The MoC will contribute to the utilisation of capabilities and opportunities in a tangible and comprehensive manner. The MoC was signed by Dr Hilal bin Ali al Sabti, Minister of Health, and Dr José Angel Portal Miranda, Minister of Public Health of the Republic of Cuba. The memorandum of cooperation provides for exchanging medical personnel, conducting specialised training programmes and holding joint research in the fields of medicine and health sciences. The MoC was signed on the sidelines of the 78th World Health Assembly, currently being held at the headquarters of World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva, Switzerland. - ONA
Muscat Daily
20-05-2025
- Health
- Muscat Daily
Oman and Cuba sign MoC to strengthen health cooperation
Geneva, Switzerland – The Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of Cuba have signed a memorandum of cooperation in the fields of health and medical sciences, marking a significant step toward enhancing bilateral relations in healthcare. The agreement was formalised on the sidelines of the 78th World Health Assembly, currently taking place at the headquarters of the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland. The memorandum was signed by H E Dr Hilal bin Ali al Sabti, Minister of Health of the Sultanate of Oman, and H E Dr José Ángel Porto, Minister of Health of the Republic of Cuba. This cooperation aims to improve health services and strengthen health systems in both countries through the exchange of expertise and the investment in shared capabilities and opportunities. Key provisions of the agreement include the exchange and training of medical personnel, the implementation of specialised training programs, and collaboration on joint scientific research in the fields of medicine and health sciences. The initiative reflects a shared commitment by both nations to work together in a tangible and comprehensive manner, contributing to the advancement of healthcare standards and innovation in medical sciences.
