Tagged with MENA

UAE Patrick van der Loo oversees Pfizer’s operations across the vast Middle East, Russia and Africa (MERA) region. In a wide-ranging and insightful conversation, van der Loo outlines the company’s approach to driving access to innovation in emerging markets and resource-constrained environments, including engaging in public-private partnerships where possible. He also…

UAE Saleh Al Hashimi of the Dubai Health Insurance Corporation (DHIC) gives an overview of the evolution of mandatory health insurance in Dubai over the past decade, with the number of residents under universal health coverage expanding from 500,000 to 4.5 million. Al Hashimi also touches on how the Emirate’s move…

UAE MSD GCC’s new memorandum of understanding (MoU) with The Department of Health Abu Dhabi (DoH) aims to advance research into breast and lung cancer. The deal, signed at the BIO International Convention 2023, marks the continuation of a long-term collaboration between the two entities.   Present at the signing were…

Saudi Arabia The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has joined the Pharmaceutical Inspection Co-operation Scheme (PIC/S), aimed at harmonising inspection procedures worldwide. Through PIC/S membership the SFDA looks to continue bolstering its capabilities and further its international collaboration efforts.   SFDA’s accession to PIC/S is one of the strategic projects of…

UAE Zeina Sfeir Lahoud of Biologix, a Dubai-based firm that represents international pharma companies by bringing innovative drugs to market in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, highlights important recent developments for the company – including a groundbreaking “value management agreement” in the UAE – and her hopes for…

UAE Tarek Thaher of MS Pharma, a leading generics firm in the Middle East and Africa, describes the benefits of manufacturing localisation in the UAE, his excitement about the firm’s growth trajectory based on a host of upcoming product launches, and its moves into the biosimilars space.   All in all,…

UAE Ramy Koussa shares the passion and vision of focused women’s health player Organon in the MENAT region, how the organisation has adapted and improved to better serve women in the region in its first two years of operation as an independent company, and why multi-stakeholder partnerships and collaboration are crucial…

UAE Amr Seif outlines Astellas’ progress into becoming a focused oncology speciality player in the Middle East and Africa, in line with the company’s global Corporate Strategic Plan 2021 (CSP2021). He also touches on key market trends in MEA, including regulatory developments, the rise of private insurance, and the growing importance…

UAE 16-year Gilead veteran, Vítor Papão, recently left Europe to take on a new role within the company as general manager of the vast Middle East & Russia cluster. He discusses the particularities of the region, and the partnerships and initiatives Gilead is actively pursuing with local stakeholders.   We have…

UAE AHK UAE CEO Oliver Oehms gives an overview of German healthcare investment in the Emirates, how the Chamber assists German firms in adjusting to the rapid pace of reform in the UAE, and his hopes for the future of German-Emirati economic cooperation more broadly.   We are confident that the…

Roundup A roundup of the latest pharma and healthcare news from Turkey including Roche Turkey’s digital platform for HCPs and patients, big pharma’s aid to earthquake victims, the Scientific and Technological Research Council’s new manufacturing facility and IHH Healthcare’s acquisition of Kent Health Group.   Pharma 2023: Roche Turkey’s Digital Platform…

Africa The third and final piece in Lenias Hwenda of Medicines for Africa’s series looking back at the challenges and successes of HIV/AIDS treatments over the past 40 years and potential medical breakthroughs to come (read part one here and part two here). Here, Hwenda examines the persistent challenge of HIV/AIDS…