EDE partners say faster approvals and logistics planning are helping protect medicine supply.
Dubai: Global and regional pharmaceutical companies operating in the UAE say closer coordination with the Emirates Drug Establishment is helping keep medicines, vaccines, and medical technologies flowing, even as supply chains face pressure from shifting demand and global logistics disruptions.
The companies said the UAE has become a reliable hub for pharmaceutical supply due to its regulatory clarity, strong logistics network, and ability to bring government entities, manufacturers, distributors, and healthcare companies into a unified operating framework.
Saeed bin Mubarak Al Hajeri, Minister of State and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Drug Establishment, said the growing presence of leading international partners reflects confidence in the UAE’s pharmaceutical sector and the maturity of its regulatory model.
He said cooperation between the Emirates Drug Establishment and the private sector has moved beyond basic coordination into a more structured system, where responsibilities are clearly defined and partners can adjust operational plans as market conditions change.
Saeed bin Mubarak Al Hajeri added that stronger collaboration with industry partners forms part of a broader strategy to keep the sector prepared and ensure medicines continue reaching the market efficiently, reinforcing the UAE’s role as a regional and global pharmaceutical supply hub.
Faster coordination
Several companies said the Emirates Drug Establishment framework has helped them respond more quickly to supply needs and maintain treatment availability for patients.
Ashraf Malak, Managing Director of MSD in the Gulf, Egypt, and Libya, said the company remains committed to ensuring the continued availability of medicines and improving supply chain efficiency.
He also highlighted the role of the Emirates Drug Establishment in regulating the sector and strengthening preparedness, adding that integrated efforts among stakeholders are essential to respond to operational changes and meet patient needs under all circumstances.
Boyd Chongphaisal, Vice President and General Manager of GSK Gulf, said medicine supply continuity is a shared responsibility, especially during circumstances beyond companies’ control.
“Ensuring the continuity and sustainability of pharmaceutical supplies is a shared responsibility, particularly during circumstances beyond our control. At GSK, we value our long-standing partnership with the Emirates Drug Establishment and commend its proactive and highly responsive regulatory leadership in maintaining medicine and vaccine supplies at national and regional levels through the timely facilitation of export permits,” Chongphaisal said.
He added that the Emirates Drug Establishment had shown agility by processing regulatory requests and approvals without delay, while also helping enable the early registration of innovative medicines.
“This has been instrumental in ensuring that patients in the UAE have access to the latest advanced and innovative treatments, while strengthening overall health system resilience and preparedness,” Boyd Chongphaisal added.
Iman Hassenah, General Manager of Amgen Gulf, said the company is focused on ensuring timely access to treatments for patients, with continuous coordination helping align supply plans with patient needs and support treatment availability under all circumstances.
Advanced treatments stay in focus
The UAE’s role is also expanding into advanced therapies and medical technology, with companies pointing to stronger cooperation around specialised medicines, devices, and diagnostics.
Mohamed Ezz Eldin, Head of the GCC Cluster at Novartis, said the company is committed to supporting access to innovative therapies in the UAE, including cell and gene therapies and targeted radioligand treatments.
“Novartis is committed to supporting the availability of innovative therapies in the UAE, including cell and gene therapies as well as targeted radioligand treatments, given their critical importance for patients who rely on them. This is in addition to ensuring access to treatments across oncology and cardiovascular diseases,” said Mohamed Ezz Eldin.
He added that Novartis works closely with the Emirates Drug Establishment to maintain stable supply chains and prevent treatment disruptions, while supporting the UAE’s position as a destination for advanced healthcare and medical tourism.
Rami Rajab, CEO of Mecomed, which represents more than 70 global companies in medical devices, imaging, and diagnostics, said the association is ready to support UAE healthcare entities through direct coordination with member companies.
He said collaboration can help overcome supply chain challenges and keep critical medical technologies available, including through better alignment, data sharing, and smoother movement of medical products and devices across logistics channels.
Demand planning and shipping routes
Companies also pointed to daily demand monitoring, route planning, and inventory management as practical steps being used to protect supply.
Ayman Mokhtar, Regional President for MENA and EURASIA at Viatris, said the company manages regional distribution from the UAE through an integrated system that helps direct supply according to market needs, improve distribution efficiency, and respond to rapidly changing demand.
Roberta Marinelli, President and General Manager for the META region at Eli Lilly and Company, said the company closely monitors demand indicators and updates supply levels through daily business continuity plans, helping maintain treatment availability and market stability.
Preeti Futnani, MCO Lead and General Manager of Specialty Care for the Greater Gulf at Sanofi, said cooperation with the Emirates Drug Establishment has set a benchmark for efficient supply management, supported by faster regulatory procedures and flexible logistics solutions.
She said measures such as diversifying shipping routes and using multimodal transport alternatives help reduce the impact of delays, while stronger coordination with manufacturing sites and increased regional allocations support supply balance.
Ahmed Safwat, General Manager of LEO Pharma in the UAE, said the company will continue strengthening its local presence through investment in innovation and a broader operational footprint, with proactive measures aimed at ensuring uninterrupted product availability.
Mohamed El Shaarawy, General Manager of Roche in the UAE, said the partnership with the Emirates Drug Establishment provides a model for cooperation between regulators and the private sector, helping ensure the continued delivery of critical treatments to patients.
Local manufacturing adds support
Domestic production and distribution capacity are also becoming increasingly important to the UAE’s healthcare supply chain.
He said the company uses forward planning and critical inventory management to maintain stable supplies, including specialised nutrition products and infant formula.
The comments from the Emirates Drug Establishment and its partners point to a more coordinated supply model, where regulatory approvals, logistics planning, demand monitoring, and local manufacturing work together to keep medicines and medical products consistently available.
