DUBAI, July 10: Pharmaceutical major Ranbaxy has been allowed to market some of its products in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) which may trigger the entry of more Indian products into the medicine chests of West Asia.

It was among the 16 international companies which were removed from the blacklist by the UAE ministry of health, the official Emirates News daily said. As many as 129 firms were banned from selling drugs in 1994. This followed the country's decision to usher in tough conditions, including registration in a western country for permission to market products.

The daily quoted a Pharmaceutical Control Department director in the ministry as saying the 16 companies, Ranbaxy included, had met the stipulations.

The drugs manufactured by western companies and sold in the Gulf are five times costlier than their counterparts. The entry of cheaper drugs from India will benefit the low-income expats in UAE. Besides, it will pose a stiff challenge to their transnational companies. Ranbaxy has received approval to market three versions of the antibiotic, Sporidex, and Ranitidine after registering itself in the UK, the report said.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.