Drug pricing in UAE is subject to a comprehensive study and review, says minister

The UAE's Minister of Health and Prevention, Ahmed Bin Ali Al Sayegh, revealed that the country's drug pricing system is currently being reviewed and studied in an effort to achieve positive results and prevent any shortages when making decisions related to drug prices.

In response to Federal National Council (FNC) members' calls for lower drug prices, the minister explained that the prices under discussion are those in private pharmacies. He added that the government and the Presidential Court are committed to a unified drug procurement system with global manufacturers to secure competitive prices.

The Minister explained, “In the session, we discussed the high prices, and we can confirm that citizens are protected from this problem by being provided with medicine from pharmacies and government hospitals.”

He added that, in his capacity as minister, he provides medicine free of charge from a government hospital.

Commenting on the Minister of Health's remarks, Saqr Ghobash, Speaker of the Federal National Council, affirmed that federal health insurance would cover the cost of medication for all citizens.

He stated that the price of medicine in the UAE was a vital issue for citizens and residents alike and would contribute to an improved quality of life.