UAE Revamps Veterinary Medicine Regulations

New Veterinary Law Tightens Regulations on Animal Medicines

The United Arab Emirates has once again taken a significant step towards health safety and regulated markets, this time in the field of veterinary products. The newly issued law aims not only to protect animal health but also to strengthen food chain safety and public health protection. The provision comprehensively regulates the development, authorization, manufacture, distribution, advertising, and use of veterinary products.

Comprehensive Regulation of Veterinary Products

The law applies to all products intended for veterinary purposes, including biologicals, injectable supplements, raw materials, supplements, veterinary devices, genetically modified organisms, as well as controlled or partially controlled substances and chemical precursors. The new regulation covers the entire lifecycle: from production and importation through authorization, pricing, sales, advertising, and use to safe disposal.

This unified system ensures that all veterinary products can be accurately tracked, thereby reducing the potential for misuse, counterfeiting, and health risks. Such a level of regulation also serves the country's food safety, particularly in handling animals intended for consumption.

Strict Control Over Veterinary Prescriptions

One of the key provisions is that in the future, only licensed, qualified veterinarians can modify issued prescriptions. This step is crucial in combating overmedication, antibiotic resistance, and illegal drug use. Additionally, the law provides detailed guidelines on the conditions under which various product categories can be used.

This provision further strengthens the role of the veterinary profession in the healthcare chain and reduces the risk of drugs distributed through illegal channels.

Innovation Incentives and Accelerated Approval

The law pays special attention to supporting innovation. According to the new provisions, a simplified and accelerated approval process applies to new veterinary products with proven therapeutic value. This is particularly important for the introduction of modern biotechnological solutions, such as vaccines or gene-based therapies.

With this step, the UAE aims to become one of the leading centers for veterinary development in the region, attracting international pharmaceutical investments.

Sharing of Auxiliaries With Strict Conditions

For the first time, the law allows veterinary manufacturers to share various auxiliaries (such as solvents, preservatives, or carriers) between each other through a loan or contract. However, the regulation prescribes detailed and strict conditions for these transfers to prevent quality degradation or potential misuse.

This flexibility can provide an advantage in optimizing production chains, especially during emergency supplies or logistical obstacles.

Comprehensive Ban on Fake, Expired, or Faulty Products

One of the law’s outstanding protective measures is the strict prohibition of the trade and storage of counterfeit, faulty, or expired veterinary products. This serves not only animal but also human safety, as animal-derived products often become part of the human consumption chain.

This part of the regulation places a serious responsibility on distributors and warehouses, who must document the compliance of every step.

Pharmacovigilance: Introduction of a National Monitoring System

The law emphasizes strengthening the national pharmacovigilance system, which serves to detect, report, and analyze side effects or complications arising from the use of veterinary products. This system enables rapid responses to potentially dangerous products to withdraw or modify them.

This part of the regulation can be particularly useful when managing large livestock herds, where a possible side effect can quickly spread.

Prohibited and Restricted Substances: Clear Frameworks with Exceptions

The law specifically defines which substances are considered prohibited or restricted veterinary drugs. Their production, import, and export are strictly forbidden, while restricted substances can only be used under specified circumstances. The Emirates Pharmaceutical Authority Board of Directors can grant exceptions in individual cases, if substantiated with a professional justification.

This balance ensures that veterinarians possess the necessary toolkit, while overuse and abuse can be avoided.

Closing Thoughts

The new law is a significant milestone in regulating the UAE veterinary sector, making the market more transparent and contributing to animal, consumer, and environmental protection. The detailed and modern regulatory framework encourages innovation while ensuring strict adherence to safety and quality standards.

With this step, the UAE once again sets an example for the region's countries on how to support economic development, health safety, and sustainability in the field of veterinary practice.

Source: Emirates Veterinary News

img_alt: A kitten sitting in front of an ultrasound machine at a modern veterinary clinic.