Seoul: The Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety to strengthen collaboration in pharmaceutical manufacturing and medical products.
Signed in Korea, the MoU focuses on sharing expertise between the UAE and Korea in areas such as drug regulations, best practices, clinical trials, and pharmacovigilance, ensuring compliance with top-quality and safety standards in medical products.
The MoU was signed by Dr. Fatima Mohammed Al Kaabi, Director-General of the Emirates Drug Establishment, and Joon-Su Shin, General Director at the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, with officials from both sides present.
The agreement aims to expedite the registration process for pharmaceutical products manufactured by both parties through a fast-track approval system. This system will prioritize early-stage pharmaceutical products that have already been approved by international regulatory bodies, including the European Union, the United States, and Japan.
By accelerating the introduction of new products, the agreement will benefit patients in both countries by making innovative treatments available more quickly.
The MoU also includes provisions for exchanging clinical and non-clinical research results, studies, and trials between the two parties to foster scientific and technological collaboration in drug development. This includes initiatives aimed at creating innovative biomedical drugs that meet community needs in both countries.
Additionally, it outlines mutual training programs to enhance the skills of personnel in the pharmaceutical industry and encourages regular field visits to pharmaceutical facilities to share practical and technological experiences, particularly regarding Good Clinical Practices (GCP) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). These efforts are designed to ensure compliance with the highest international standards at all production and distribution stages.
The agreement aims to bolster research and development cooperation by forming joint task forces to assess biological products and advanced medical equipment. The two parties will share cutting-edge technologies and develop effective strategies for managing innovative medical products, including biopharmaceuticals and invasive medical devices, thereby boosting innovation in the medical and pharmaceutical sectors.
Dr. Fatima Al Kaabi remarked that the MoU establishes a strategic framework for a strong partnership aimed at advancing health and pharmaceutical collaboration between the two parties. It promotes innovation, improves access to modern medicines, opens new opportunities in the pharmaceutical sector, and develops effective control systems to ensure the safety of medical products. The agreement aims to enhance quality of life and support sustainable health initiatives.
Dr. Al Kaabi highlighted that the agreement aligns with the establishment’s strategy to elevate the health sector and expand its international partnerships, reflecting the leadership’s vision to promote cooperation across critical areas.
EDE is eager to further integrate with global counterparts to deliver innovative and safe medical products that improve community well-being.