Thursday, Jun 13, 2013
Dubai: The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) regulation department announced that the registration deadline for pharmacies in Dubai has been extended to June 29.
In line with the Ministerial Decision No (62) of 2013 and the decision of the council of ministers No (1/3/3) 2013, the licensure and monitoring of in-patient and out-patient pharmacists and pharmacies in the emirate of Dubai has been delegated from the Ministry of Health (MoH) to the DHA. This decision applies to 600 pharmacies and 1,500 pharmacists in Dubai.
Dr Ramadan Ebrahim, director of the DHA Health Regulation section, said: “We have extended the deadline for the convenience of pharmacies and pharmacists and we encourage them to complete their registration before June 29. Once they register with us, all successive licence renewals will be with the DHA.”
Dr Ebrahim added that the move was aimed at avoiding duplication of efforts and to streamline regulatory procedures in Dubai.
All pharmacies, pharmacists and assistant pharmacists with a valid MoH licence have been requested to complete registration procedures with the DHA by May 31.
Dr Ebrahim clarified that not all regulations that apply to pharmacies and pharmacists will fall under the DHA’s mandate. “Our role is limited to licensure and monitoring and will not include drug stores, drug registration, scientific offices, controlled medications, advertisements, export and import,” he said, adding that the other responsibilities will remain under the MoH.
The streamlining of roles of the MoH and DHA came into effect from June 1, 2013 and is applicable to all pharmacists and assistant pharmacists as well as pharmacies in the public and private sectors, besides the free zones in Dubai except Dubai Healthcare City.
Staff Report
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