UAE draft law proposes up to Dh1m fine for fake medical products

Abu Dhabi - Authorities said the law is also aimed at ensuring that the industry is aligned with current global developments.

Members of the Federal National Council (FNC) are set to discuss a draft law on March 19 that regulates pharmacists and the medicine industry to protect citizens and residents from dodgy and counterfeit medical products.
Authorities said the law is also aimed at ensuring that the industry is aligned with current global developments.
The draft law, which will be passed after being discussed and approved by the FNC members, sets stiff penalties for violators, including jail sentence of up to five years and fines of up to Dh1 million with the possibility of suspending licences.
"The draft law aims to regulate the profession of pharmacists, the pharmaceutical industry and medical products in order to keep abreast of the global development, which reflects positively on the country and provides protection to citizens and residents," said an FNC report.
The report, issued ahead of the FNC's discussion on the law, said that since Federal Law No. 4 of 1983 - regarding the profession of pharmacy and pharmaceutical industry - came into effect 34 years ago, several developments had taken place across the industry, making it necessary for amendments to be introduced.
The report said that with the new draft law, necessary control measures would be established to ensure the proper use of information technology in providing appropriate medical services.
The law will also protect the rights of dealers in medical and pharmaceutical products; define the duties of every party; and ensure proper communication and exchange of information.
According to the report, the bill comprises 122 articles that are  divided into five sections, including the scope of application of the law; provisions on the regulation of medical products; organisation of the pharmacy profession and pharmaceutical enterprises; administrative and disciplinary accountability; and penalties for the violators of the law.
The draft law stipulates an imprisonment of not less than six months and not exceeding two years or a fine between Dh50,000 and Dh200,000, or both, for a person or establishment that provides fake or incorrect documents or uses any other illegal means to obtain a medical licence.
A penalty of not less than one year and not exceeding five years in jail or a fine of not less than Dh100,000 and not more than Dh500,000, or both, shall be imposed on any person or establishment caught promoting or circulating fake or dangerous medical products in the country.
The bill also stipulates fines of not less than Dh1,000 and not more than Dh500,000 against pharmacy practitioners violating the law regulating their profession, with the possibility of licence suspension for a period not exceeding one year. Penalties shall be doubled in all cases for repeated violations.
Know the law
>Aim: To regulate the profession of pharmacists, the pharmaceutical industry and medical products
>122 articles are included in the draft law
>5 sections cover the scope of application; provisions on regulation of medical products; organisation of the pharmacy profession and pharmaceutical enterprises; administrative and disciplinary accountability; and penalties
Major penalties
>Six months to two years' imprisonment and/or Dh50,000-Dh200,000 fine for a person or establishment that provides fake or incorrect documents or uses any other illegal means to obtain a medical licence
>One year to five years' jail term and/or Dh100,000- Dh500,000 fine for any person or establishment caught promoting or circulating fake or dangerous medical products
>Dh1,000-Dh500,000 fine against pharmacy practitioners violating the law regulating their profession
ismail@khaleejtimes.com

• Abu Dhabi