Ministry of Health and Prevention partners with Swiss company Novartis to ensure sufficient medical supplies during emergencies

UAE, May 27, 2017- The Ministry of Health and Prevention has signed an agreement with Novartis Middle East to enhance the country’s health security and ensure sufficient medical supplies during emergency cases, including 41 pharmaceutical products and other life-saving medicines. 

The signing ceremony was attended by H.E. Dr. Mohamed Salim Al Olama, Undersecretary of the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention, and Dr. Abdul Karim Abdullah Al Zarouni, Director of Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Operations Center, and Mohamed Ezzeddine, Regional Director - Gulf Region, Novartis.

Dr. Al Zarouni said that the agreement is within the framework of strengthening the UAE’s health and medical security and implementing rapid response to emergencies through the availability of medical supplies in the Ministry’s warehouses. The supplies, which should be good for six months, include medicines listed in 41 pharmaceutical categories; 18 classes for cardiovascular diseases and five for neurological, immune, and orthopedic diseases; and for respiratory, gastrointestinal, endocrine, inflammatory and skin diseases.

He pointed out that Novartis supports the Ministry’s initiatives and programs by providing innovative pharmaceuticals products, establishing partnerships with national pharmaceutical manufacturers, and offering innovative solutions that will improve the lives of patients in the country.

He explained that one of the agreement’s key provisions covers mechanisms on recycling medical stocks six months before the expiration for each category. It lists down the alternatives during the process of recycling, with the Ministry as the custodian of medical stocks according to the global storage and recycling standards.

Dr. Mohamed Ezz Eldin, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Gulf, Cluster head, affirmed Novartis’ support to the Ministry of Health & Prevention’s Initiative by continuously maintaining strategic stock levels of 41 different Novartis prescription drugs that cover various medical conditions including, amongst others, Cardiovascular, Hypertension, Diabetes, Neurology, Respiratory and Dermatology.   Dr. Mohamed Ezz Eldin also reconfirmed Novartis continuous cooperation with the MOH for better serving the interest of Emirati and expatriate residents of the UAE