UAE government issues new law to regulate drug industry with fines up to Dh1 million

New oversight committee to set standards for pricing, quality and safety

The new decree law will focus on ensuring that medicines are used in a safe manner. AFP

The UAE government has issued a new federal decree law regulating the development, manufacturing, pricing, production and management of medicines in the country.

It aims to regulate the pharmaceutical industry and fast-track the process of authorising new medicines and therapy.

Medical professionals, pharmacies and medical establishments will be penalised for any violations under the new law and their licenses suspended temporarily or cancelled. They could even be closed as a precautionary measure. Medical professionals could also face fines of up to Dh500,000 and medical establishments up to Dh1 million.

Greater uniformity

“As someone who deals with women, nutritional products and surgeries, I see this as a very welcome move, because … there will be uniformity in pricing and uniformity in composition and quality,” said Dr Pooja Jaisal, a specialist obstetrician and gynaecologist at Fakeeh University Hospital in Dubai.

“Ours is an insurance-based healthcare system, and we don't want gross differences just because of the brand. If there is uniformity, there is less abuse, and I think the patient satisfaction rates will be better. We will have less bias among different healthcare providers.”

When you have different companies, they compete, and there can be those malpractices to make their products cheaper or more lucrative

Dr Pooja Jaisal,
Fakeeh University Hospital, Dubai

Dr Jaisal explained that a higher standard for medical products and devices as well as dietary supplements would result in less ambiguity and more ease in prescriptions.

“When you have different companies, they compete, and there can be those malpractices to make their products cheaper or more lucrative,” Dr Jaisal said.

The decree law will establish systems to protect innovations in the pharmaceutical industry and set up regulatory protocols regarding the import, export, distribution and sale of medical products.

New committee

A Pharmaceutical Policies Committee will be established to create policies regarding pricing, circulation and monitoring of medical products. A national policy will also be set up for an inventory of medical products.

The new decree also looks at creating a process to encourage investment and innovation in the UAE’s medical sector as well as having a focus on ensuring that medicines are used in a safe manner, reducing the side effects of medicines.

The decree law will cover pharmacies, marketing firms, biobanks, pharmaceutical consulting companies and laboratories, clinical research organisations and other medical establishments in the UAE, including the free zones.

The new law will apply to drug products, medical devices, healthcare products, pharmaceutical products, dietary supplements, cosmetics among other medical products.