Wholesale of pharmaceutical and medical goods in Dubai refers to buying pharmaceutical and medical products in bulk from manufacturers or suppliers and then selling them to retailers, hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare providers. You can include a wide range of products, such as prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, medical devices, surgical equipment, and other healthcare products.
4649.08 Wholesale of Pharmaceutical and Medical Goods
Apply for a business license under Wholesale of Other Household Goods and choose the activity Wholesale of Pharmaceutical and Medical Goods with activity code 4649.08
With a Wholesale of pharmaceutical and medical goods trade license, you are legally permitted to import and store registered pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, and herbal medicines, alternative medicine, drugs and distribute the same on a wholesale basis.
According to the UAE Ministry of Health, you can establish several types of companies to sell pharmaceutical goods in Dubai. These are:
- Pharmacies through which the sale of registered drugs, pharmaceutical products produced by the pharmacy, and medical supplies is permitted
- Para pharmaceutical business that can sell various types of supplements and beauty products
- Drug stores that are allowed to import, store and distribute pharmaceutical products to wholesalers or pharmacies
- Pharmaceutical production companies that need special licenses for producing, testing, and marketing such goods.
You must store and handle pharmaceutical and medical products in accordance with DHA regulations. To comply with these regulations, the products must be stored in a cool, dry, and clean environment, and they must be protected from light, heat, and moisture. Specifically, vaccines must be stored at specific temperatures and humidity levels to maintain their effectiveness.
Additionally, you must ensure that the pharmaceuticals and medical products you distribute are manufactured as per Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs). GMPs are guidelines that ensure the products are manufactured to meet quality standards and are free from contamination or defects.
As a wholesaler, you must also ensure that your pharmaceutical and medical products are properly labeled and packaged per DHA regulations. These regulations require that the products are labeled with the correct information, such as the name of the product, its strength, dosage form, and directions for use. The packaging must also be tamper-evident to prevent contamination or misuse. For example, it is crucial to maintain the correct temperature and humidity when storing and transporting prescription medicines. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in fines, suspension, or revocation of the wholesale license, and legal action.
Inclusions
With this license, you can set up a pharmaceutical facility to sell and distribute pharmaceutical products and medical supplies and register and import these goods. You can also represent companies, pharmaceutical factories, and international medical supplies that are registered in the country and export or re-export pharmaceutical products and medical supplies. Additionally, you have the authorization to manufacture pharmaceutical products and medical supplies.
Exclusions:
This business license is subject to Dubai Municipality rules and regulations; Dubai Municipality and the Department of Health and Public Safety have the right to regulate it. With a Wholesale of pharmaceutical and medical Goods license, you cannot conduct Wholesale of other household goods businesses like the Wholesale of blank audio and video tapes, CDs, DVDs, Wholesale of radio and TV broadcasting equipment, Wholesale of office furniture, etc.
Third-Party Approvals: Post License
As a wholesaler of pharmaceutical and medical goods, you must obtain approval from the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), which regulates the import, export, distribution, and sale of pharmaceutical and medical products in Dubai. You must also comply with strict regulations and standards to ensure that your products are safe, effective, and high-quality. Inspection of the facility by the Drug Control Department in Dubai is also required.
ESR
Wholesale of Pharmaceutical and Medical Goods businesses do not have to comply with regulatory requirements like Ultimate Beneficial Ownership (UBO) or Economic Substance Regulations (ESR).
AML
Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations do not apply to wholesalers of pharmaceuticals and medical goods.
