UAE: New anti-monopoly drug laws cut healthcare costs

The UAE has introduced new anti-monopoly laws for the distribution of medicines to help lower drug prices and reduce shortages, as reported by Maghrebi Week on March 2nd.

Under the new mechanism, pharmaceutical manufacturers must appoint more than one authorised agent in the UAE for each registered medical product, finally ending the dominant single-agent system and increasing supply routes.

Drug shortages have hit hospitals and pharmacies across the Middle East in recent years due to manufacturing delays, supply-chain bottlenecks and demand spikes, affecting some of the most essential treatments. Health officials say diversifying distribution will increase competition, improve supply management, while supporting the UAE’s broader strategy to attract pharmaceutical investment and expand its life sciences sector.

Maghrebi Week