UAE, February 15, 2016– H.E. Dr. Amin Hussein Al Amiri, Assistant Undersecretary for Public Policy and Licensing of the Ministry of Health, inaugurated the 75th Meeting of the Gulf Central Committee for Drug Registration at the Al Bustan Rotana Hotel in Dubai in the presence of Dr. Mohammed al-Haidari, Head of Drug Central Registration Department and Executive Board, Health Ministers’ Council for Cooperation Council States, Saudi Arabia.

Unify GCC’s efforts in the pharmaceutical industry

Dr. Amin said that GCC’s modern trends emphasizes in uniting efforts towards supporting pharmaceutical industry, encouraging local manufacturers to focus on innovative pharmaceutical industry, and promoting the culture of confidence in the local pharmaceutical industry within the society. The meeting was directed towards initiatives and regulations that not only encourages the development of the local pharmaceutical industry within the GCC but also implement regulations and standards to facilitate local and international investment through a successful model embodied by the UAE.

Accelerated growth in the local drug market

H.E. Dr. Al Amiri pointed to the steady increase in the number of pharmaceutical factories as per the table below:
 
Industries    Year
14            2014
16            2015
34            2020

The table is a strong indicator of the UAE’s growth in the regional pharmaceutical industry. It also reflects its government’s keenness through the Ministry of Health and Protection of Society and various health authorities in the country to support investment in the sector. The country boasts of a strong infrastructure of airports and free zones to provide excellent logistical support to the Middle East and North Africa as well as has a modern legislation and regulations that encourages investment in this sector.

H.E. Dr. Al Amiri confirmed that the GCC is keen in encouraging its local industries to manufacture innovative and low-use medicines that are interred to the UAE as unregistered medicines similar to what the Ministry of Health has taken in the country.

National drug product competes in Western markets
Dr. Al Amiri also noted the importance of the Executive Office in taking efforts to change the perception of the Gulf society in showing confidence to the local pharmaceutical industries. Many of the Gulf drugs command a global market and sold in the US, Europe and in the Middle East, indicating a high standard of quality set by national industries that has enabled them to succeed in the global competition. The Executive Office demanded the adoption of three initiatives which will be presented to the Gulf Health Council Ministers for approval and enactment of legislations and regulations.

An extensive agenda to register products and pharmaceutical companies

The meeting discussed the registration of six new companies and 23 new products and the renewal of the registration of three companies and 15 centrally registered products. It also asked to visit seven Equal vital centers.

The meeting presented what was received from 10 companies for the renewal of registration request, in addition to what was received from the companies regarding the completion of registering 50 products and the request for the extension of validity of five products and requested minor changes in 6 products, as well as to discuss other businesses.