The Emirates Pharmaceutical Authority obligates pharmaceutical companies to appoint more than one agent to break the monopoly of medical products in the country

In a first of its kind, the Emirates Pharmaceutical Corporation announced the activation of a new mechanism, which aims to break the monopoly, and requires pharmaceutical companies to appoint more than one agent for every medical product traded in the country, within the framework of implementing the provisions of Federal Decree Law No. (38) of 2024 regarding medical products, the pharmacy profession, and pharmaceutical facilities.

This decision comes in line with the UAE’s trends in enhancing national readiness with regard to drug security and ensuring the sustainable availability of medical products in the country. It also increases the attractiveness of the business environment for investment, thus enhancing the country’s global competitiveness and expanding the treatment options available for the same disease.

The new mechanism aims to end the monopoly of medical products for the first time, and reduce the risks of interruption of supplies in cases of emergency or operational challenges, ensuring the sustainability of the availability of medical products and meeting the needs of patients and health facilities at all times.

The mechanism also enhances the flexibility of supply chains by accelerating the response to changes in demand and health crises. The mechanism also increases distribution efficiency by improving inventory management and accelerating the efficient arrival of medical products to the various emirates of the country.

This mechanism contributes to diversifying distribution channels and preventing monopolistic practices that require controlling the quantities or timing of supply. The mechanism also contributes to stimulating fair competition in logistics services, and raising standards of quality, warehousing and logistics services.

Saeed bin Mubarak Al Hajri, Minister of State and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Drug Corporation, confirmed that this mechanism falls within the general policy approach adopted by the state to develop the national pharmaceutical system, to keep pace with health and economic changes, by enhancing the diversification of supply chains, raising the efficiency of regulatory frameworks, and establishing a flexible legislative environment that supports the sustainability of the pharmaceutical market and the protection of public health.


He also explained that this approach contributes to ensuring the continued availability of medical products, thus enhancing drug security as one of the basic components of comprehensive health security.

He said: Pharmaceutical investment is one of the most important strengths that distinguish the UAE regionally and globally, which makes it an attractive center for investment flows now and in the future.

Al Hajri added: “The UAE is distinguished by the presence of modern infrastructure and systems that help invest in the pharmaceutical sector and encourage international companies to find their regional position and produce their innovative and similar medicines in the UAE, in light of the wise leadership’s support for innovation and creativity and encouraging investment in the health sector in general and the pharmaceutical sector in particular.”

For her part, Dr. Fatima Al Kaabi, Director General of the Emirates Drug Corporation, indicated that this regulatory step comes within the efforts to regulate the distribution of medical products, and contributes to raising the efficiency of supply management and enhancing the system’s ability to adapt to health changes, in a way that supports the stability, growth and sustainability of the pharmaceutical market, and embodies the Emirates Drug Corporation’s commitment to applying effective governance frameworks consistent with international best practices.

She stressed that the UAE is prepared for further growth in attracting pharmaceutical industries during the coming period and achieving a new qualitative leap in the field of pharmaceutical investment at the regional and global levels.

She pointed out that the Emirates Pharmaceutical Corporation is part of its current strategic plan to encourage investment in the pharmaceutical sector in the country, in implementation of the directives of our wise government, which aims to provide health care in the country with the highest standards of quality and efficiency and ensure drug security in all cases, including crises and emergencies.