Dubai and the UAE has a large health sector, with many different options to incorporate. It is also becoming a desirable medical tourism location due to the abundance of good healthcare providers in the country, and there are many opportunities to trade in pharmaceuticals – you just need to know what you want to do and how.
What type of business should I start?
You can choose to register your pharmaceutical-related business as either a mainland business or inside a free zone. One will need the sponsorship by a UAE citizen, while free zones can be 100 per cent foreign-owned. What is non-negotiable, however, is the approvals you will need. These include: municipality permission, Ministry of Health permission and Department of Environment permission.
Pharmacy:
A pharmacy is a shop that is licensed to sell registered pharmaceuticals and other medical supplies, although it usually is accompanied by a range of other goods such as toiletries, beauty products and other convenience items. A registered pharmacist must be working inside the pharmacy at all times, in accordance with UAE regulations.
Para Pharmaceutical Trading:
This trade relates to the kinds of pharmaceutical products that are not directly used for medication or internal treatment. They can include plasters, lotions, perfumes, mouthwash, hand sanitizers and other similar products.
Drug Store:
This facility sells the same types of products that would be found in a pharmacy but is a wholesaler and provides many pharmacies with their merchandise.
Dubai Healthcare City – Free Zone companies
Established in 2002, Dubai Healthcare City was the first such free zone dedicated to health in the world. It is set in old Dubai, taking up an impressive 4.1 million square feet, within which it houses more than 4000 licensed healthcare professionals. It is the largest healthcare free zone in the world and is slated to grow even bigger – to 19 million square foot in the next phase of its development.
ADVANTAGES OF DHCC
- This includes all the usual benefits of operating from a free zone, including zero tax, 100 per cent foreign ownership, ability to repatriate all profit and capital, and ease of setting up a business.
- In addition, you will have access to state-of-the-art medical facilities, ease of access (DHCC has its own metro stop), the ability to work alongside other medical experts, networking opportunities, access to exciting medical developments, increased brand exposure and a mark of quality by being part of this exciting community.
- Ease of setting up a business including fast-tracked recruitments, a one-stop-shop for interacting with all government departments, business support services, and streamlined and reduced red tape and restrictions.
HOW DO I REGISTER?
1. Choose your premises
You can go as big or small as you like, although the average unit size rented by registered companies is 1000 to 1500 square feet. The agreement you must sign is to be accompanied with a 10 per cent deposit of annual rent which will be refunded should your application be rejected, plus AED3500.
Here are some options to choose from, to give you an idea:
I. Executive Desk size: 50 sq. ft.
Executive Desk rate: AED 60,000 per annum
Visa eligibility: 2
Lease term: Minimum of 1 year and a maximum of 2 years
II. Executive Office: 100 – 200 sq. ft.
Executive Desk rate: AED 100,000 per annum
Visa eligibility: 3
Lease term: Minimum of 1 year and a maximum of 2 years
Step 2: Submitting the Initial Application Form – Non-Clinical: ** All applications submitted to CPQ are subject to approval or rejection.
http://www.dhcr.gov.ae/en/E-Services/ServicesListing?DepartmentID=2
Step 3: Commercial License – Free Zone Authority:
http://www.dhcr.gov.ae/en/E-Services/ServicesListing?DepartmentID=2
