Dr Abdul Rahman Bin Mohammed Al Owais, the Minister of Health issued a Ministerial Decree No (130) of 2019 on the reduction of the price of 410 similar drugs, in line with the government’s directives to reduce the prices of services, and based on the Ministry’s keenness to support and provide medicines at competitive prices and compatible with the lowest Gulf price in support of patients.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) held a meeting with the concerned companies under the chairmanship of Dr Amin Hussein Al Amiri, Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health and Prevention’s (MoHAP’s) Public Health Policy and Licenses, in the presence of 58 local, Gulf and international companies.

The meeting aimed to coordinate joint efforts between MoHAP and companies to support patients and provide pharmaceutical services of high standards and quality at competitive prices.

It also aimed to foster the strategic partnership between MoHAP and the private pharmaceutical companies operating in the country and to lay out the foundations for the prior coordination for the implementation of this initiative.

The initiative also provides wider options for patients to reduce the leakage of counterfeit medicines through online pharmacies and other unreliable sources.

MoHAP has officially addressed the companies concerned, to take the necessary steps towards reducing prices within a specific time frame for implementation on  Sept.15, 2019.

The list of similar medicines covered by this resolution includes a wide range of medications for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, lipid-lowering drugs and angina drugs, which are common chronic diseases in the region, with a reduction rate ranging from 2-77 per cent, of which 183 varieties locally manufactured and 227 manufactured regionally and globally.

Based on the periodic follow-up of the prices in global and regional pharmaceutical markets, MoHAP applies the highest standards and practices in the pricing system, taking into account the patient interest to provide sustainability in the pharmaceutical varieties, especially those concerned with chronic diseases, taking also into account the economics of the companies operating in the country to ensure the continuity of its operations and logistical services. This equation would help achieve a balanced drug market.

In this regard, MoHAP commends the positive and rapid response of the pharmaceutical companies with their initiatives to reduce the prices of innovative medicines in the previous stages.

This stems from the strategic partnership between MoHAP and the international and regional pharmaceutical companies that have chosen the UAE as the regional headquarters for the Middle East and North Africa.