The Emirates Drug Foundation held an introductory meeting with more than 40 prominent companies in the healthcare sector in the country. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the role of the foundation, as well as the support and assistance it can provide. The aim was also to gather opinions from stakeholders within the sector on ways to improve their ability to support the growing healthcare sector in the country.
Representatives from pharmaceutical companies attended the meeting, including global companies such as Abbott, AbbVie, Sanofi, MSD, Merck, AstraZeneca, Bayer, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Kyowa Kirin, Leo Pharma, Eli Lilly, Novartis, Novo Nordisk, and Pfizer. Additionally, representatives from private healthcare providers in the United Arab Emirates were present.
Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Drug Foundation, stated, “The ability to provide citizens, residents, and visitors with the best high-quality healthcare products will always remain one of the top priorities of the wise leadership of the country.” He emphasized the foundation’s commitment to collaborating closely with the healthcare sector to ensure a conducive environment that enhances national capabilities in pharmaceutical manufacturing, sponsors research and development, and attracts investments to the healthcare sector.
Dr. Al Zeyoudi further expressed the continuous effort to raise healthcare standards in the country. The Emirates Drug Foundation aims to apply the latest global standards in healthcare to facilitate the development, manufacturing, registration, marketing, and distribution of healthcare products and services. The goal is to develop an environment that attracts the brightest minds and the best companies, ensuring the provision of top-quality healthcare in line with international standards and establishing the reputation of the UAE as a global hub for pharmaceutical and medical services.
Dr. Fatima Mohammed Hilal Al Kaabi, the Director-General of the Emirates Drug Foundation, stated that the introductory meeting aimed to engage the private sector in the plans for the development and enhancement of the healthcare sector according to the best global practices. The foundation is responsible for organizing and managing all medical products across the country, including pharmaceuticals, medical devices, healthcare products, nutritional supplements, and cosmetics. The foundation will work on increasing self-sufficiency and pharmaceutical security for the UAE by enhancing the country’s ability to produce, develop, and manufacture high-quality medical and pharmaceutical products through research and development and by creating an environment that welcomes pharmaceutical investments.