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Dh130 million approved for drug import in 2007

The imported medicines will start arriving in the country from April next year to hospitals and health facilities affiliated to the MoH in Dubai and the Northern Emirates. “The UAE had agreed to a Dh100,000 tender to import 500 different drug products to the country. The tender was awarded at the recent meeting of the GCC Executive Board of the Health Minister's Council,” said Humaid Al Shamsi, Assistant Under-Secretary of the Pharmacy and Supply at the MoH.

Speaking to Khaleej Times yesterday Shamsi stressed on the country's commitment to take part in the GCC collective drug purchase operation.

He said the new drugs consignments include essential medicines that cover all specialities. “The new drug products include life-saving medicines, primary health care medications, cancer, cardiovascular, narcotics vitamins as well as pain killers. All these products are the latest approved by the US Food and Drug Administration-FDA, ” said Shamsi. On whether hospitals are facing shortage in terms of medicines, the official said hospitals and centres affiliated to the MoH has surplus stocks and that most drugs are available.

About drugs tender the MoH adopts at national level, Shamsi said other 300 essential pharmaceutical products will be imported under a federal tender. “New medicines for HIV/AIDS and hepatitis, and vaccines will be imported from foreign firms under a national tender at the cost of Dh30 million, ” he added.

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