Andrea Tithecott, Partner, Head of Healthcare & Life Sciences Al Tamimi & Company, discusses how UAE laws and regulations support longevity and precision health
Abu Dhabi Global Health Week 2025 is a landmark event that showcases the UAE’s vision and achievements in advancing health and wellbeing for its citizens and the world. One of the key strategic themes of the event is longevity and precision health, which aims to personalise the future of medicine by harnessing the power of data, technology, and innovation.
The UAE has been at the forefront of developing and implementing laws and regulations that support this theme, creating a conducive environment for life sciences, pharmaceuticals, clinical research, and data sharing. These laws and regulations reflect the UAE’s commitment to protect human rights and dignity, ensure quality and safety, and foster collaboration and excellence.
The UAE is steadfast in its commitment to becoming a global leader in clinical innovation, aligning with its national policy objectives and vision statements. This dedication is evident in the country’s strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing healthcare quality, fostering longevity, and advancing precision medicine.
The UAE’s healthcare vision is encapsulated in several key strategies and policies, including the Vision 2021 and the National Agenda. These frameworks emphasise the importance of preventive medicine, reducing lifestyle-related diseases, and ensuring a high quality of life for all residents.
The UAE aims to be among the best countries globally in terms of healthcare quality, with specific targets such as reducing cancer and cardiovascular disease rates, increasing life expectancy, and improving healthcare infrastructure.
The focus on longevity and precision medicine is reflected in its investment in cutting-edge healthcare technologies and research. Precision medicine, which tailors medical treatment to individual characteristics, is a key area of development. The UAE has launched initiatives such as the Emirati Genome Program, which aims to map the genetic makeup of Emiratis to better understand and treat genetic disorders.
The UAE is also making significant strides in drug discovery and development. Institutions including the Gulf Medical University and Al Ain University offer advanced programmes in pharmaceutical sciences, focusing on drug design, medicinal chemistry, and nanotechnology in drug delivery. These programmes are designed to produce skilled researchers who can contribute to the global pharmaceutical industry.
Several factors are critical in influencing better patient outcomes in the UAE:
• Healthcare Infrastructure: The UAE boasts state-of-the-art healthcare facilities, including internationally accredited hospitals and specialised centers like the Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.
• Healthcare Workforce: The country invests heavily in training and retaining skilled healthcare professionals, ensuring high standards of care.
• Regulatory Framework: The UAE has established robust health laws and regulations to protect patient rights and ensure the quality of healthcare services.
• Innovation and Technology: The integration of digital health technologies, telemedicine, and AI-driven healthcare solutions enhances patient care and operational efficiency.
Legislative support
The UAE has enacted several laws to support its healthcare objectives:
• Federal Law No. 2 of 2019 on ICT in Health: This law regulates the use of information and communication technology (ICT) in health fields within the UAE, ensuring optimal use, compatibility, security, and confidentiality of health data and information. It also establishes a central system to collect, exchange, and analyse health data and information at the national level, and sets the conditions for storing and transferring health data and information inside and outside the UAE. The law also enables the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) to issue licenses for health advertising through the central system, and to ban or block websites that violate the health advertising standards. The law aims to enhance the provision and management of health services, support public health initiatives and policies, and promote scientific and clinical research using ICT.
• Federal Law No. 49 of 2023 on Human Genome: This law regulates the use of the human genome in the UAE, establishing guidelines for genomic and genetic screening, data confidentiality, and the ethical use of genetic information, while promoting public health and scientific research. It also establishes a national genomic database to store, manage, and use genomic and genetic data and information, and creates the Emirati Genome Reference, a digital DNA sequence that represents the gene sequence of Emirati individuals. The law aims to ensure the safe and respectful use of the human genome, prevent its use for purposes that violate human rights and dignity, and contribute to the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of genetic diseases.
• Federal Law No. 38 of 2024 on Medical Products: This law governs medical products, pharmacists, and pharmaceutical establishments in the UAE, detailing definitions, regulations, and approval processes for medical products and related entities. Building on the issuance of Federal Law 28 of 2023 that establishes the UAE Drug Establishment, a federal institution responsible for creating UAE as a global and regional hub for life sciences and clinical innovation, and also regulating medical products in the UAE, and sets its objectives, powers, and functions. The law aims to ensure the quality, efficacy, safety, and reliability of medical products, as well as their availability and affordability, and to promote and facilitate scientific research, disease surveillance, and innovation in the medical industries sector.
• Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DOH) Guidelines for Clinical Trials in Abu Dhabi: These guidelines provide the regulatory and good clinical practice requirements for conducting clinical trials with investigational products and medical devices in Abu Dhabi, outlining the roles and responsibilities of involved parties, ethical considerations, and safety protocols. They also specify the procedures and timelines for obtaining authorisation and approval from the Human Research Ethics Committees (HRECs) for conducting clinical trials, as well as the reporting and notification requirements. The guidelines aim to ensure the protection of subjects, the quality and validity of data, and the compliance with international standards and best practices.
• Federal Decree-Law No. 4 of 2016 on Medical Liability: This law ensures accountability and high standards in medical practice.
These laws and regulations demonstrate the UAE’s vision and leadership in supporting longevity and precision health, by creating a legal and regulatory framework that enables the use of data, technology, and innovation to personalise the future of medicine and improve health outcomes.
Addressing gaps and meeting vision targets
While the UAE has made remarkable progress, there are areas that require further attention to fully realise its vision:
• Research and Development: Increasing investment in R&D to foster innovation in drug discovery and precision medicine
• Public Health Awareness: Enhancing public health campaigns to address lifestyle-related diseases and promote preventive care
• Healthcare Accessibility: Ensuring equitable access to high-quality healthcare services across all regions of the UAE
• Data Integration: Developing integrated health information systems to improve data sharing and patient care coordination
Conclusion
The UAE’s commitment to creating a global hub for clinical innovation is evident in its strategic initiatives, robust healthcare infrastructure, and forward-thinking policies. By continuing to invest in research, technology, and healthcare workforce development, the UAE is well on its way to achieving its vision of becoming a leader in healthcare excellence and innovation.
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