The UAE has introduced a new Federal Decree-Law that strengthens oversight of veterinary medical products and pharmaceutical establishments, marking a major step toward enhancing animal health, food safety, and public health across the country.
The legislation sets comprehensive rules for the development, approval, manufacturing, marketing, and distribution of all veterinary medical products in the UAE. It covers a wide scope that includes biological products, injectable supplements, raw materials, medical devices, GMOs intended for veterinary use, and controlled substances.
Under the new law, all processes related to veterinary products are regulated, including registration, pricing, import, export, distribution, sale, display, remarketing, safe disposal, advertising, and promotion. Clear criteria were also established to classify products intended for import, local production, or distribution.
The decree introduces provisions for issuing a National Policy for the Strategic Stockpile of Veterinary Medical Products, which will be approved by the Cabinet. It also mandates adherence to good manufacturing practices in line with Emirates Drug Establishment guidelines and international standards. For the first time, manufacturers are permitted to transfer excipients and other components under specific controls.
Counterfeit, defective, or expired veterinary products are strictly prohibited. The law also sets clear rules for prescribing and dispensing medicines, limiting these actions to licensed veterinarians.
The legislation defines how prohibited and restricted substances must be handled and authorises the Emirates Drug Establishment to grant exceptions under controlled conditions. It introduces a fast-track pathway for innovative veterinary products with high therapeutic value, streamlining approvals while maintaining safety and efficacy requirements.
Veterinary pharmaceutical establishments, including those in free zones, are brought under unified licensing and inspection frameworks managed by the Emirates Drug Establishment and the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment. A unified national database system will also be created to support regulation and oversight.
Entities covered by the law have up to one year from enactment to comply, with the possibility of an extension by Cabinet resolution.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
