Set Up a Pharmaceutical Company in Dubai
Health facilities in Dubai fall under the regulations of the Ministry of Health which issues the licenses and all the registration books and controlled medication prescription pads for pharmacists. In order to obtain a license from the Ministry of Health, owners of pharmacies must first apply for an authorization letter with the Health Regulation Department. The Dubai Health Authority was enabled in 2007 through Law No. 13 and is the main health authority in Dubai. The Health Authority promotes healthcare investments for foreign investors in Dubai and provides a comprehensive regulatory system for those setting up pharmacies or other types of health facilities in the Emirate.
What are the regulations for importing and selling pharmaceutical products in Dubai?
The pharmaceutical market is dominated by foreign companies with subsidiaries in Dubai. In order to regulate the manufacture, import and distribution of pharmaceutical products, the health authorities have enabled the Federal Law no.4 in 1983 referring to the medicines and pharmaceutical compounds. The same law establishes that all companies or individuals manufacturing or selling pharmaceutical products in Dubai are required to obtain a license before starting operating.
The pharmaceutical profession, as it is defined by the law, covers all the aspects of the preparation, composition, manufacturing, selling or distributing medicines for the prevention or cure of disease of humans or animals. Also, foreign investors wanting to set up a pharmaceutical Company in Dubai must have an UAE associate. The UAE associate will be the pharmacy license holder.
What are the requirements to open a pharmacy in Dubai?
There are two steps to be followed in order to register a pharmaceutical Company in Dubai – the preliminary approval and the final approval of the establishment. The pharmacy must also be inspected by the Drug Control Department in Dubai. The following documents are required when setting up a pharmaceutical business in Dubai:
- An application form
- A preliminary approval for the premises
- Copy of the tenancy contract
- The blueprints of the location
- A certified architectural planning issued by an architect or by other experts in Dubai
- Copy of the passport of the owner
- A copy of the location license issued by the municipality
- Copy of the pharmaceutical license issued by the Dubai Trade Register
- A list with the employees and their certifications
For information about the fees to be paid when opening a pharmaceutical establishment, please contact our specialists in Company incorporation in Dubai.
