Sharjah24: The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) discussed with MSD, a leading global biopharmaceutical company, ways to enhance cooperation and coordination regarding the regulatory file for a new Covid-19 drug, which will be granted emergency marketing approval in the UAE following its approval by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

This came during His Excellency Dr. Amin Hussein Al Amiri, Assistant Undersecretary for the Health Regulatory Sector, inaugurating the MSD's new scientific office in Dubai Healthcare City, bringing the number of scientific offices in the UAE to 89 offices.

MSD is a leading US pharmaceutical company specializing in the field of tumors, vaccines, and infectious diseases.

The inauguration was attended by Her Excellency Meghan Gregonis Consul General of the United State of America in Dubai, Cara Nazari - Managing Director, AmCham Dubai, Renan Ozyerli, President, EEMEA region at MSD, and a number of officials in the ministry.

Providing innovative medicines

Dr. Amin Al Amiri highlighted the ministry's keenness to strengthen the strategic partnership with global pharmaceutical companies in order to ensure early access to innovative medicines, provide the best treatment to patients, and support the pharmacoeconomics system in the UAE.

This comes in line with the ministry’s strategy to provide comprehensive and innovative healthcare to community members in accordance with the highest international standards, he noted.

“Our cooperation with the MSD with regards to the regulatory file for a new Covid-19 treatment falls within the pioneering efforts being made by the UAE in terms of the effective response to the pandemic, by attracting and providing innovative medicines proven to be effective and efficient, to be incorporated into treatment protocols,” 

Al Amiri underlined that the UAE's strong commercial infrastructure and the organizational facilities provided to companies have made it an ideal destination for international pharmaceutical companies to operate and manage their operations across the region.

This also contributed to providing a package of attractive investment opportunities for pharmaceutical companies in a highly competitive atmosphere, he noted. 

Outstanding healthcare

Renan Ozyerli said that early access to innovative and new medicines is what sets the UAE apart from other countries in the world and also reflects its leadership in healthcare.

He underlined that MSD is keen to join forces with the UAE Ministry of Health to ensure the provision of innovative medicines and vaccines to patients, noting that the company's new scientific office is a milestone in its efforts to save lives and improve patients' quality of life.