The UAE has taken a decisive step toward pharmaceutical self-sufficiency with the official launch of the Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE) at the World Health Expo 2026 (WHX 2026) in Dubai. The event was presided over by Saeed bin Mubarak Al Hajeri, Minister of State and Chairman of the EDE Board of Directors, alongside Minister of Health and Prevention Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh and senior health sector officials.
A New Regulatory Era
The EDE assumes the role previously held by the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) as the UAE’s centralised authority for pharmaceutical and medical product regulation. Its mandate spans the full spectrum of the healthcare supply chain, from drug approvals, import and export licensing, and manufacturing oversight, to pharmacovigilance, quality control, and market authorisation. To date, the EDE has licensed 37 facilities for the production of human pharmaceutical and medical products.
The Holistic National Manufacturing Project
Central to the launch was the unveiling of the EDE‘s Holistic National Manufacturing Project — a strategic framework designed to localise the production of advanced medicines, human medical products, veterinary supplies, and agricultural inputs within a single, integrated regulatory system. The project covers every stage of the pharmaceutical value chain, from active ingredients and raw materials through to packaging, storage, and distribution, all aligned with international regulatory standards.
The initiative also supports the “One Health” approach, which recognises the interconnection between human, animal, and environmental health, a notable broadening of scope from traditional pharmaceutical governance.
Why This Matters
The EDE’s formation positions the UAE as a regional hub for pharmaceutical innovation and manufacturing, reducing dependence on imports and accelerating patient access to approved therapies. The establishment has already demonstrated its pace — it was the first country globally to approve Rilzabrutinib, an oral treatment for immune thrombocytopenia, and has approved gene therapy Casgevy for sickle cell anaemia.
The launch signals a long-term national commitment to pharmaceutical security, industrial localisation, and healthcare resilience across the Emirates.
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