The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention confirmed, on Friday, the safety and quality of Brufen paediatric syrup, which is used as an antipyretic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic medicine.

Dr. Amin Hussein Al Amiri, Assistant Under-Secretary for the Medical Practice and Licence Sector at the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention and Chairman of the Supreme Committee for Pharmaceutical Vigilance, emphasised that messages, which were widely circulated on social media, stating that Brufen contains aluminium foil are completely baseless while the ministry has not issued any related safety alerts or received any warning from the United States Food and Drug Administration, the European Medicines Agency or the Therapeutic Goods Administration of Australia.

"We have contacted the manufacturer of Brufen to confirm the inaccuracy of these rumours," he added.

He also warned that circulation of such rumours, without any credible official sources, could have negative consequences and cause panic among those taking the drug, who may stop taking the medicine or adjust their dose without consulting their doctor.

Such rumours can also weaken the confidence of patients in the medicine, and affect the credibility of health programmes and available medicines in the UAE, he stressed.

He urged the public to not spread such rumours and instead obtain credible pharmaceutical advice from the ministry or other health authorities.

Brufen Tablets, containing 200mg, 400mg or 600mg of Ibuprofen and with analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, are used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, dental pain and headaches