On Monday, 09 February 2026, His Excellency Saeed bin Mubarak Al Hajeri, Minister of State and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE), officially launched the Emirates Drug Establishment during World Health Expo 2026 (WHX 2026).
The launch ceremony was attended by His Excellency Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of Health and Prevention; Her Excellency Fatima Al Kaabi, Director General of the Establishment; alongside senior leaders from the UAE health sector.
This milestone marks a new phase in the regulation and development of the UAE’s pharmaceutical and medical sector, reinforcing institutional integration and advancing the Establishment’s strategic objectives.
Advancing Pharmaceutical Security and Innovation
During his visit to the Establishment’s platform under the “Emirates Health” Pavilion, His Excellency reviewed key national projects designed to:
- Strengthen pharmaceutical security
- Support innovation in medical products
- Advance the national pharmaceutical model
- Ensure the sustainability of medical product supply
The showcased initiatives aim to enhance the UAE’s pharmaceutical industrial capacity and global competitiveness, while promoting specialised research and development within the country.
Holistic National Manufacturing Project
A central highlight of the launch was the Holistic National Manufacturing Project, a strategic initiative designed to develop the UAE’s national pharmaceutical ecosystem.
The project establishes an advanced national framework for localising the production of:
- Advanced human medicines and medical products
- Veterinary products
- Agricultural products and inputs
- Fertilisers
This unified system integrates regulation, manufacturing, oversight, and quality control to ensure sustainability and resilience across supply chains.
The framework aligns with the One Health approach, connecting human, animal, and environmental health within a single regulatory and industrial model.
Strengthening the Pharmaceutical Value Chain
The Holistic National Manufacturing Project prioritises the development of a fully integrated industrial infrastructure covering all stages of the pharmaceutical value chain, including:
- Active pharmaceutical ingredients and raw materials
- Manufacturing processes
- Packaging and labelling
- Storage and distribution
All stages are aligned with internationally recognised regulatory standards to ensure product quality, safety, and efficacy.
Dr. Ruqaya Al Bastaki, representing the Medical Products Regulation Sector, stated that the integrated manufacturing project provides a practical foundation for aligning regulatory and industrial efforts while promoting domestic production according to international standards.
She noted that the initiative will strengthen supply chain continuity and improve the efficiency of the national pharmaceutical ecosystem.
Strategic Transformation of the UAE Pharmaceutical Sector
The Emirates Drug Establishment emphasized that the project will drive a strategic transformation of the UAE’s pharmaceutical sector by:
- Expanding national manufacturing capacity
- Increasing supply chain resilience
- Ensuring the sustainable availability of medical products
- Positioning the UAE as a regional and global hub for advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing
The launch forms part of a broader package of national initiatives aimed at enhancing pharmaceutical security, localising vital industries, and building a sustainable national pharmaceutical system.
To date, the Emirates Drug Establishment has licensed 37 facilities for the production of human pharmaceutical and medical products.
For more information: Saeed bin Mubarak Al Hajeri launches Emirates Drug Establishment at World Health Expo 2026
