The UAE has taken a major step toward strengthening its pharmaceutical and medical landscape with the official launch of the Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE) at World Health Expo 2026, marking a new chapter in national regulation, manufacturing, and sector development.
The launch was led by Saeed bin Mubarak Al Hajeri, Minister of State and Chairman of the EDE Board, and attended by Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of Health and Prevention, along with Director General Fatima Al Kaabi and senior health sector leaders.
The establishment’s debut signals a shift toward deeper institutional integration and a more coordinated national approach to pharmaceutical regulation and industry growth. During a tour of the EDE platform within the Emirates Health Pavilion, Al Hajeri reviewed key national projects focused on pharmaceutical security, innovation, and the sustainability of medical products.
Central to the showcase was the Holistic National Manufacturing Project, a strategic initiative designed to build a comprehensive national pharmaceutical ecosystem and reinforce domestic manufacturing capabilities. The project introduces an integrated framework that supports the localisation of advanced medicines, human medical products, and veterinary, agricultural, and fertiliser products under a unified regulatory and quality system.
The framework also aligns with the One Health approach, connecting human, animal, and environmental health, while covering the full pharmaceutical value chain from raw materials and active ingredients to manufacturing, packaging, storage, and distribution.
Dr. Ruqaya Al Bastaki of the Medical Products Regulation Sector said the project provides a practical foundation for aligning regulatory and industrial efforts, ensuring supply chain continuity and raising production to international standards.
The EDE said the initiative forms part of broader national efforts to localise vital industries and position the UAE as a regional and global hub for advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing. To date, the establishment has licensed 37 facilities producing human pharmaceutical and medical products.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
