UAE Launches Emirates Drug Establishment to Boost Local Production

The United Arab Emirates has launched the Emirates Drug Establishment, creating a national body tasked with regulating pharmaceuticals and strengthening local manufacturing and medical supply security. The launch took place at the World Health Expo 2026, marking a new phase in the country’s approach to medicine regulation and production.
The establishment is positioned as a central regulator overseeing pharmaceutical manufacturing, quality control and supply continuity, with a mandate to support domestic production and reduce reliance on external supply chains. At the expo, officials outlined a set of national projects aimed at reinforcing pharmaceutical security, including plans to develop a homegrown manufacturing model that aligns regulation, industry and oversight within a single framework.
A key initiative presented was the Holistic National Manufacturing Project, described as a long-term effort to build a fully integrated pharmaceutical ecosystem. The project sets out a national framework to localise the production of advanced medicines and medical products, alongside veterinary, agricultural and related inputs. It adopts a ‘One Health’ approach that links human, animal and environmental health, and is designed to cover the full value chain, from raw materials and active ingredients to manufacturing, packaging, storage and distribution, in line with internationally recognised standards for safety and efficacy.
According to officials, the integrated model is intended to improve resilience across medical supply chains while supporting sustainable industrial growth. To date, 37 facilities have been licensed to produce human pharmaceutical and medical products, reflecting early progress in expanding domestic capacity.