How to Start a Pharmaceutical Trading or Retail of Pharmaceutical and Medical Goods Business with Meydan Free Zone?

This activity is the retail sale of health and beauty goods from a store. You sell medicines, medical goods, and cosmetic and toilet items straight to shoppers. In the UAE, demand for these goods is high and steady across a large, health-aware population.

The market is big. The UAE pharma market was worth about USD 4.15 billion in 2024. It is set to reach USD 8.02 billion by 2033. ¹ The UAE beauty and personal care market added another USD 2.55 billion in 2024. It is set to reach USD 4.13 billion by 2033. ² Together, these cover the goods this store sells.

For retailers, this means strong footfall and repeat buyers. A Meydan Free Zone business license lets you run this store. It does need approval from the health regulator first, as shown below.

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Why These Stores Do Well

• Large market: Health and beauty goods are worth billions each year.
• Health focus: Residents spend more on care and wellness.
• Beauty demand: Cosmetics and personal care sell strongly.
• Repeat trade: Medicines and toiletries are regular buys.
• Tourism boost: Visitors add to retail sales.

A Large Health and Beauty Retail Market

These stores sell across two big markets: medicines and beauty goods. Here are the key numbers.

Sources: IMARC Group; IMARC Group

Who Is This Activity For?

4772.00 – Retail Sale of Pharmaceutical, Medical and Cosmetic Goods

Activity 4772.00 is the retail sale, in specialised stores, of pharmaceuticals, medical and orthopaedic goods, and perfumery and cosmetic articles. It means selling these health and beauty goods direct to shoppers.

The license covers retail sale. It does not cover bulk supply to other businesses. It also does not cover making the goods. Those are separate activities, as shown in the exclusions below.

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It helps to be clear on what this license does not cover. It does not let you supply these goods in bulk to other businesses. That is wholesale, a separate activity. It also does not cover making or producing the medicines and cosmetics, which is manufacturing. And it does not cover medical care or treatment.

In short: if you are selling medicines, medical goods and cosmetics to shoppers, you are in. If you are supplying in bulk, making the goods, or giving medical care, those are separate activities.\

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Compliance

THIRD-PARTY APPROVAL

This activity requires pre-approval from the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) before a business license can be issued by Meydan Free Zone.

ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING COMPLIANCE

This business activity is not subject to AML compliance requirements.

References

1  IMARC Group. UAE Pharmaceutical Market valued at about USD 4.15 billion in 2024, projected to reach USD 8.02 billion by 2033.

2  IMARC Group. UAE Beauty and Personal Care Products Market valued at USD 2.55 billion in 2024, projected to reach USD 4.13 billion by 2033.