Abu Dhabi: According to the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP), the UAE topped the Middle East and Africa in terms of the number of approved medications containing novel active substances and the speed at which drug regulatory dossiers are evaluated and approved.
187 new medicines containing active ingredients were approved during the study period, because of the minister’s decision to reduce the amount of time needed to review new pharmaceutical dossiers. Data for innovative medicines registered from 2010 to 2018 were included in the first study conducted by a US-based organization, IQVIA, a global leader in using data, technology, advanced analytics, and expertise to help customers drive healthcare – and human health.
The study compared the standards for registering and providing innovative medicines that contain new active substances. The company’s second report, which was released in the meantime, contained information on the marketing approval of drugs from 2018 to the first quarter of 2021.
The study also revealed that the UAE is one of the top three countries for quick approval of innovative medicines and treatments, including but not limited to genetic treatments for spinal muscular atrophy (SMAs) and vision loss. Furthermore, MoHAP also approved innovative biological drugs for Alzheimer’s and diabetes that are only available in the USA and the UAE.
Dr. Amin Hussein Al Amiri, the assistant undersecretary for the Health Regulation Sector, stated that the ministry is dedicated to accelerating the registration process for medications in order to provide patients with efficient treatments and promote the pharmaceutical industry.
The assistant undersecretary emphasized that MoHAP is making every effort to support domestic and international pharmaceutical companies operating in the UAE in order to improve the drug regulation and control process. Dr. Al Amiri also asserted that the ministry’s success in this area will only help the UAE maintain its position as a regional leader in healthcare and medicine.