In this article, we will tell you how to get a pharmacy license in UAE and touch on all the procedures.
The licensing of pharmacies and health facilities in the UAE is governed by Federal Law No. (4) of 1983, which specifies all of the conditions and papers required for obtaining licenses for health facilities (including pharmacies) and the mechanism of their operation.
Conditions for Obtaining a Pharmacy License in UEA
- That the license applicant is a citizen of the country.
- A licensed pharmacist oversees the operation of the pharmacy.
- The distance between the pharmacy to be licensed and any other pharmacy shall not be less than 200 meters measured from the nearest road.
- The pharmacy must meet all of the necessary health and technical requirements.
Application to the Pharmacy Licensing Committee
A person seeking a pharmacy license must submit an application to the Licensing Committee, which must include the following:
- The license applicant’s name, nationality, and place of residence.
- The number and date of the pharmacist’s license to practice the profession of pharmacy issued to the pharmacist in charge of the pharmacy to be licensed to open.
- A duplicate of the owner’s or partner’s passport – Emirates ID
- A pharmacy engineering chart with measurements in square meters.
- A commercial license was granted to the engineering firm that devised the scheme.
- An explanation letter on the pharmacy’s location, specialties, and services, signed by the owner/partners or their representative in an official agency, stating the percentage of each partner.
- An official agency will acknowledge and pledge the application signed by the owner/partners or their representative.
- Dubai Municipality or its equivalent issued the plot number certificate.
- A valid trade name reservation certificate issued by the Economic Department or the Free Zones Authority’s equivalent.
Also read: 24 Hour Pharmacies in UAE: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah
How to Obtain a Pharmacy License in UAE
- Access the Ministry of Health’s website (Licensing Authority).
- The licensing process begins with the creation of an electronic account for use with the “Sharyan” licensing system. Requesting a new facility license.
- Attach and upload all required documents before submitting the application.
- Make payment for the application fee.
- Examine all documents and papers produced by the relevant department.
- Initial approval is granted. The facility is not authorized to begin operations; rather, it must complete additional licensing procedures with other relevant authorities such as the Economic Department and the municipality.
- After completing the pharmacy facilities, upload the commercial license and a letter of no objection signed by the owner/partners or their representative in an official agency, appointing the medical director.
- Pay the application fee to get the Health Quality Control and Audit Department’s approval.
- Setting a date for the Health Quality Control and Auditing Department’s field visit and issuing final approval.
- Pay the fees for obtaining a pharmacy license.
- Version of the license
Service Timetable
For initial approval, the application will be received and decided within 10 working days.
In addition, final approval takes 15 working days.
Notes
- The activity in the facility can only begin after all of the requirements for activating the license with the Health Authority have been met, such as naming the medical director and obtaining final official approval.
- The authority’s letters to the license applicant are valid for three months to begin completing the remaining requirements of the other concerned authorities.
- This authorization is valid for six months from the date of issuance to begin working in the pharmacy.
License and Pharmacy Ownership
- Even if it is in the authority of licensing free zones, or it is transformed into a limited liability company with a citizen’s percentage of not less than 51%, ownership is always owned by the citizen. Otherwise, the partnership is deemed null and void, and ownership is transferred to a citizen.
- The license to open the pharmacy is personal, and it may not be assigned to anyone else, and it is considered to be terminated by the force of law.
- If the pharmacy’s ownership is transferred to another person, a new license must be obtained.
- The pharmacy license is valid for one year and can be renewed for another similar year.
- No one person may be licensed to open more than two pharmacies in the state, and no pharmacist employed by the government or one of its institutions may open, run, or work in a pharmacy in any other capacity.
Working Conditions in a Pharmacy
- The pharmacy’s name must be written in Arabic on a visible board in large letters.
- The pharmacy may not substitute for a medical clinic or serve any other purpose than the storage, preparation, and sale of medicines and medical preparations, the sale of toiletries and perfumes, baby food, medical milk, household insecticides, medical, surgical, optical, and laboratory instruments, dental tools and materials, toothpastes, toothbrushes, shaving, and so on. I admire her.
- The pharmacy may not have an outlet connected to a medical clinic, a commercial store, a residence, or any other non-related location.
- Medicines must be kept in good condition and in accordance with the relevant technical conditions in a pharmacy, and it is not permitted to display any expired medicines.
- In any of the following circumstances, the license to open a pharmacy shall be considered terminated by the force of law:
- Transfer of ownership of the pharmacy to another person for which the license is issued.
- Keeping the pharmacy closed for six months in a row without an acceptable excuse from the Licensing Committee.
- Failure to begin working in the pharmacy within six months of receiving the license to open it.