Emirates Drug Establishment Launches National Programme for Pharmacovigilance Inspection

Abu dhabi: The Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE) has introduced a specialised workshop aimed at inspecting pharmacovigilance practices, in collaboration with the pharmaceutical sector in the country. This initiative is designed to equip national professionals with advanced skills for assessing pharmacovigilance systems within pharmaceutical companies, establishing a regulatory framework focused on risk detection and analysis, and ensuring the ongoing safety of medication and healthcare quality in the UAE. According to Emirates News Agency, this workshop marks the first collaboration between the Emirates Drug Establishment and the pharmaceutical sector in pharmacovigilance inspection, in partnership with the global company Sanofi. It aims to enhance inspection readiness and introduce modern regulatory frameworks. The workshop is part of an integrated approach by the Establishment to develop an advanced regulatory framework, strengthen medication safety, and protect patients by building specialised national ca pabilities in line with international best practices. During the two-day workshop, participants explored practical expertise in inspecting pharmacovigilance practices, including pre-inspection planning, documentation requirements, field procedures, and preparing detailed reports and follow-up plans. The event highlights the partnership between the Establishment and the pharmaceutical sector to accelerate medication-safety initiatives and enhance transparency in pharmaceutical regulation based on data and scientific evidence. Dr. Fatima Al Kaabi, Director-General of the Emirates Drug Establishment, stated that the national programme for inspecting pharmacovigilance practices supports the Establishment's strategy to build an integrated regulatory system prioritising patient safety. The initiative aligns with the strategy to develop an advanced health and pharmaceutical sector, fostering innovation and trust in the healthcare system. The Establishment is also exploring the expansion of this initiative to incl ude advanced regulatory inspection programmes, updated national guidelines for pharmacovigilance practices, and the integration of inspection outcomes into digital and analytical systems for evidence-based decision-making, aiming to establish a sustainable model for medication safety and quality of life in the UAE. Preeti Futnani, MCO Lead and General Manager for Sanofi Specialty Care, GCC, expressed pride in supporting the Emirates Drug Establishment through official collaboration between regulatory authorities and the pharmaceutical sector, highlighting the shared responsibility of pharmacovigilance and the enhancement of trust and care quality through strong systems.