UAE: Newly established Emirates Pharmaceutical Institute focuses on drug safety in first meeting

During the meeting, the Board emphasized the need to align the institution’s organizational structure with international best practices and proposed a comprehensive operational plan to improve the quality of services provided to patients and the community. The Board underlined the importance of improving the availability, quality, safety and effectiveness of medical and pharmaceutical services and discussed strategies to attract industry-leading professionals to the UAE medical workforce.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Al Zayoudi outlined the main objectives of the institution, which include developing research and development, attracting local and foreign investments, and improving domestic production and export of high-quality medical and pharmaceutical products.

He said: “Under the guidance of our wise leadership, the UAE is strengthening its global position as a hub for the economy of the future, rooted in knowledge and innovation, and has become a preferred destination to attract investment and talent, particularly in the medical sectors and pharmaceutical manufacturing sectors. The Emirates Drug Establishment aims to enhance the UAE’s leadership role in the medical field by developing our national drug manufacturing capabilities, accelerating research and development and attracting targeted investments in the pharmaceutical sector. This will contribute to greater anti-drug security in the UAE and the wider region, and we look forward to seeing the many untapped benefits that await us.”

Regarding drug safety, he highlighted the establishment’s commitment to developing national processes to guide the development, accreditation, manufacturing, marketing and distribution of pharmaceutical and medical products in line with the highest global standards and practices.

As the Director of the Emirates Pharmaceutical Establishment, Dr. Fatima Al Kaabi, said: “In our continued efforts to establish the Emirates Pharmaceutical Establishment as a reliable partner in raising the standards of healthcare in the country, we will press ahead with the construction of the organizational structure of the Establishment and contracting. a highly qualified workforce, both in line with the outcomes of the inaugural meeting of the Emirates Drug Establishment Board of Directors and the most stringent international benchmarks.”

The UAE Cabinet approved the formation of the Emirates Pharmaceutical Establishment Board of Directors in December. This board, which will have a three-year term, is tasked with overseeing the federal institution’s mandate to regulate and manage all medical products nationwide. The institution’s jurisdiction extends throughout the country, including free zones, and covers a wide spectrum of products. These include pharmaceuticals, medical devices, healthcare products, essential items, nutritional supplements, cosmetics, veterinary preparations, fertilizers, agricultural conditioners, plant growth regulators, pesticides and genetically modified organism products. The decree law of the Council of Ministers also allows the inclusion of any other medical product.