Emirates Drug Establishment boosts efficiency of licensed warehouses, supports investment through third-party storage model

The Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE) announced on July 29, 2026, the implementation of a "Third-Party Logistics (3PL)" model for medical warehouse licensing. This new model allows entities seeking distribution privileges to contract with existing, EDE-licensed medical warehouses rather than establishing their own. This initiative aims to reduce operational costs, enhance the utilization of existing logistics infrastructure in the UAE, and attract foreign investment. The EDE has commenced inspections related to these applications, simultaneously gathering feedback to update the framework and checklists, ensuring alignment with regulatory requirements and international good storage and distribution practices. This standardized approach is also intended to support local small and emerging businesses and strengthen supply chains.