The Board of Directors of the Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE) recently held its fourth meeting to discuss and develop key initiatives aimed at regulating and managing the UAE’s healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors.
These efforts are part of a broader strategy to enhance the UAE’s standing as a global and regional hub for the medical industry.
The meeting was chaired by Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade and Chairman of the EDE Board of Directors.
Other attendees included Dr. Maha Tayseer, Deputy Chairperson of the Board; Dr. Fatima Mohammed Hilal Al Kaabi, Director General of the EDE; and board members Dr. Issa Abdul Fattah Kazim, Badr Saleem Al Ulama, Dr. Amer Ahmed Sharif, Dr. Farhan Malak, and Professor Chris Evans. Ahmed Al Rumaithi also joined the Board as a representative of the UAE’s youth.
One of the main topics discussed was the development of plans to establish various specialised committees aimed at improving the EDE’s operational efficiency.
The Board also reviewed updates on the integration of activities from relevant government agencies and services. This includes the transfer of supervision for more than 160 services from the Ministry of Health and Community Prevention and the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment to the EDE.
Dr. Thani emphasised the EDE's commitment to creating a fully integrated organisational structure to regulate and manage all healthcare and pharmaceutical activities in the UAE.
The objective is to enhance standards, drive innovation, and promote advanced research, thereby aligning the UAE’s healthcare industry with global best practices.
“We are focused on developing the institutional, organisational, and administrative structure of the EDE,” said Dr. Thani. “This integration will enhance the UAE’s healthcare and pharmaceutical sector in line with global standards. Our goal is to boost local pharmaceutical production capacity, foster national excellence in this vital sector, and attract investment and talent from around the world.”
Dr. Fatima Al Kaabi, Director General of the EDE, highlighted the efforts to implement previous Board recommendations. This includes establishing the EDE’s organisational structure and appointing a skilled team to oversee the continuous improvement of healthcare standards in the UAE.
“We are working to elevate standards and accelerate the expansion of our healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors, contributing to the well-being of the UAE’s citizens and sustainable economic growth,” she said.
The UAE Cabinet approved the formation of the EDE Board of Directors in December 2023. This board, serving a three-year term, is responsible for regulating and managing all medical products at the national level.
The EDE’s jurisdiction includes free zones and covers a wide range of products such as pharmaceuticals, medical devices, healthcare products, nutritional supplements, cosmetics, veterinary preparations, fertilisers, agricultural conditioners, plant growth regulators, pesticides, and products of genetically modified organisms. The decree-law from the Council of Ministers also allows for the inclusion of other medical products as needed.
The initiatives and organisational developments discussed at the meeting are crucial steps in enhancing the regulatory framework and operational efficiency of the UAE's healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors.
These efforts are expected to have a significant positive impact on the country’s medical industry, contributing to improved healthcare outcomes and economic growth.
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