Dubai: Building a robust healthcare ecosystem requires a strong local pharmaceutical network to sustain affordable treatment and ensure consistent access to essential medicines. Across the Arab region, this shift is gaining momentum as global pharmaceutical giants move toward localisation and innovation partnerships after decades of reliance on an import-driven model.
At the inaugural edition of ETHealthworld’s Healthcare Leaders Summit Middle East, experts convened to discuss “The Future of Pharma in the Arab World: Localisation, Innovation & Resilience.”
Highlighting market potential, Dr. Ammar Raza, Regional Medical Director for MEA & Thailand at Allergan Aesthetics, AbbVie, said the UAE’s domestic drug market is projected to exceed $8 billion by 2033. He noted that the country has outpaced much of the Middle East in new molecule development and faster regulatory clearances.
To sustain this growth within the local ecosystem, Mahmoud Saeed Ghaly, General Manager for GCC Countries at SAJA Pharmaceuticals, whose network includes around 89 manufacturing units, emphasised the importance of technology transfer from global to domestic players.
International partnerships must also expand, he added, as the region still depends heavily on imported raw materials—around 70% from India and 25% from China. Reducing this reliance is essential to minimise supply chain disruptions and strengthen self-sufficiency.
On regulatory progress, Abdulrahim Alyahya, Director of Regulatory Affairs for MENA and Saudi Arabia TSO at Biogen, said regional regulators are moving toward greater harmonisation with markets such as the US to ease submissions and approvals. For complex therapies like biologics and gene therapies, he noted the need for better predictability in timelines and responses.
For advanced innovations where regulators lack domain expertise, Dr. Raza said joint workshops between industry and authorities are proving effective—helping accelerate approvals and setting precedents for local players.
Ghaly added that several regional payers are partnering with medical societies to promote digital innovation adoption. By linking these efforts with customer engagement and CSR initiatives, stakeholders aim to build stronger commercial frameworks while improving medicine access.
Insurance support remains crucial in reducing patient cost burdens, while digital platforms play a growing role in improving awareness and driving demand, he said.
Discussing the use of social media for disease awareness, Alyahya noted that rules vary significantly across countries. For instance, direct patient engagement is prohibited in the UAE, while Saudi Arabia allows companies to run awareness campaigns.
He stressed that regulatory clearance processes in the Middle East remain highly rigorous. Unlike Europe, where promotional strategies offer more flexibility, companies entering the region often need a complete strategic reset.
“Many miss opportunities to educate patients, but those that manage privacy effectively and navigate these challenges still have strong growth potential,” he added.
Panelists also noted that regulatory agencies are accelerating digitalisation—moving away from paper-based filings and adopting international standards to streamline processes. If companies submit evaluation reports from both the US FDA and EMA, local authorities may issue decisions within 30–60 days.
For orphan drugs, Alyahya noted that companies can submit filings as early as Phase 2, and in some cases, therapies have received regional approval even before authorisation by the FDA or EMA.
Experts concluded that the Middle East is entering a transformative phase from both an industry and regulatory standpoint. Introducing newer, more complex innovations will require tailored strategies that align closely with local needs.
