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ABU DHABI / WAM
The patients in the UAE with chronic diseases such as cancer that require long-term treatment will heave a sigh of relief as the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP), announced a reduction in the prices of a number of medicines.
The decision which has been taken in co-operation with the international pharmaceutical company, Sanofi Aventis, is part of ministry’s efforts to support patients and improve access to affordable pharmaceutical services.
Dr. Amin Hussain Al Amiri, Assistant Under-Secretary for Public Health Policy and Licensing and Vice Chairman of the Higher Committee for Drug Pricing and Registration, said that the price adjustments were done in pursuant to Ministerial Decree No. 1400 of 2017 issued by Abdul Rahman bin Mohammad bin Nasser Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention.
The move forms part of the Ministry’s commitment to provide high-quality medicines priced according to regional standards as well as improve the healthcare services in the UAE in line with the leadership’s vision and support for the health sector to consistently ensure the best results.
Al Amiri added that the products subject to price reduction by up to 24 percent treat various disorders including bacterial infections, joint pain, epileptic seizures, heart attack, prostate cancer, diabetes, and breast cancer.
The ministry said it has co-ordinated with Sanofi Pharma and local agents to ensure that the new costs will be implemented across the country.
With the new adjustment, the prices of 8,732 medicines have been brought down since the commencement of the ministry’s series of price reduction initiatives on July 2, 2011.
He also reaffirmed that decreasing the prices of high-quality medicines alongside the provision of affordable pharmaceutical services is also the result of the strategic partnership between the ministry and international pharmaceutical companies operating in the country. Al Amiri praised the international pharmaceutical companies for their active participation and swift response to the ministry’s initiatives aimed at reducing the prices of medicines.
Many global pharmaceutical firms have set their regional headquarters in the UAE, and each of them currently employs 100 to 500 employees.
Their logistic hubs are mainly located in airports and free zones in the UAE to support their operations in the country and other nations in the Middle East and North Africa region.
Al Amiri assured that the Ministry will continuously coordinate with companies and distributors and monitor the medicine supply in the country to ensure availability and avoid drug shortage.
The Ministry also supervises pharmaceutical companies to guarantee compliance with proper storage standards and distribution process to prevent any damage and ensure optimal patient care. It will publish on its website and local newspapers a list of medicines with their new prices to prevent any violations and to benefit all patients in
the UAE.
