Chaired by Dr. Amin Hussein Al Amiri, Assistant Undersecretary for Health Policies and Licensing, Acting Chairman of the Drug Registration Higher Committee, the committee held its meeting in the Ministry of Health in the attendance of representatives from the Ministry of Health, Abu Dhabi Health Authority, Dubai Health Authority, Dubai Healthcare City and national universities.

The committee approved the registration of 62 new pharmaceutical drugs after completing the required technical documents. The new approved list provides treatment for a number of diseases such as cancer, diabetes, rheumatoid, high blood pressure and organ transplant operations. Three other drugs were postponed for not fulfilling the required papers.

Dr. Amin Al Amiri emphasized that more than half of these approved drugs are innovative to treat hepatitis C and produced by one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in Europe. The drug has been also approved by the European Union. Another innovative drug is produced by Gilead US and is for the treatment of hepatitis C. These drugs are registered in a convergent period of time whereas most approved drugs in the European countries are now in the registration process of innovative and modern drugs in the UAE as a regional attraction hub for the drugs international companies.

Pharmaceutical patents and their impact on the health system in the UAE: Dr. Alamiri said that the committee refused to extend the patent application for one of the US drugs companies due to the expiration of the patent that is granted to the company internationally. Such a step opens the door to local and international similar drugs companies to register such drugs and increase their availability with low prices. At the same time, it would have a positive impact on the healthcare system in the UAE without any infringement to the rights of intellectual property which is signed by the UAE in a number of international conferences.

Ban of sweetening pharmaceutical item due to its dangerous impact: Dr. Amin Al Amiri stated that the committee decided to ban sodium cyclamate, a sweetening pharmaceutical item, from all drug markets in the UAE due to its dangerous side effects on liver and some cancers. The decision abides with the UAE’s commitment to adopt all international by laws and regulations and the recommendations of such a drug by the American Drug Organization.

Adoption and approval of a number of medical devices (medical equipments): The medical devices registration committee discussed the registration of 31 new producing companies, approved 20 new companies and a conditional approval for 11 companies after their completion to all the required technical documents.

The committee also discussed the requests of 79 medical devices companies while approved 18 new items and a conditional approval for 50 others and postponed the approval of 11 items after their completion to the required technical documents. Medical devices include various medical devices such as diabetes and blood pressure devices, wounds cosmetic supplies, hospitals supplies and other equipments.

UAE one of the largest countries in MENA region to register medical devices: The UAE is one of the largest countries in the UAE to issue a directory for registered medical devices in order to regulate and organize the trading of these products. A number of international medical devices come from unreliable sources and below approved global specifications. The Ministry of Health has gradually applied the registration of medical devices in the past few years in coordination with competent authorities and local health authorities and at the same time increased the awareness of medical devices importers about the importance of such a registration system and gave them a deadline for their commitment. The aim of this procedure is not to affect the UAE’s supplies from unknown medical devices and regulate imported vital products to country and ensure their availability inside the UAE with sufficient amounts and high quality.