‫ﻗﻄﺎع اﻟﺘﻨﻈﻴـﻢ اﻟﺼﺤـﻲ‬

Health Regulation Sector

 Electronic copy is controlled under document control procedure. Hard ‫اﻟﻨﺴﺨﺔ اﻹﻟﻜﺘﺮوﻧﻴﺔ ﻫﻲ اﻟﻨﺴﺨﺔ اﻟﻤﻀﺒﻮﻃﺔ وﻓﻖ إﺟﺮاء ﺿﺒﻂ اﻟﻮﺛﺎﺋﻖ۔ اﻟﻨﺴﺦ‬ 
copy is uncontrolled & under responsibility of beholder. ‫اﻟﻮرﻗﻴﺔ ﻏﻴﺮ ﻣﻀﺒﻮﻃﺔ وﺗﻘﻊ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻣﺴﺆوﻟﻴﺔ ﺣﺎﻣﻠﻬﺎ۔‬
 It is allowed ONLY to access and keep this document with who issued, ‫ﻳﺴﻤﺢ ﺑﺎﻟﻮﺻﻮل وﺑﺎﻻﺣﺘﻔﺎظ ﺑﻬﺬه اﻟﻮﺛﻴﻘﺔ ﻣﻊ ﻣﺼﺪرﻫﺎ أو ﻣﻊ اﻟﻤﺴﺆول ﻋﻦ‬ 
who is responsible and to whom it is applicable. ‫ﺗﻄﺒﻴﻘﻬﺎ أو ﻣﻊ اﻟﻤﻄﺒﻖ ﻋﻠﻴﻬﻢ۔‬
 Information security code:  Open  Shared -Confidential ‫ﺧﺎص‬- ‫ﻣﺸﺎرك‬ ‫ ﺑﻴﺎﻧﺎت ﻣﻔﺘﻮﺣﺔ‬ :‫ﺗﺼﻨﻴﻒ اﻣﻦ اﻟﻤﻌﻠﻮﻣﺎت‬ 
 Shared-Sensitive  Shared-Secret ‫ﻣﺸﺎرك –ﺳﺮي‬ ‫ﻣﺸﺎرك –ﺣﺴﺎس‬

Document Type: Policy Ref Number: Version Number: 2

HRS/HPSD/PEM/2/2021
Document Title: Purchase of Emergency
Issue Date: 01-09-2021 Effective Date: 01-09-2021
and Essential Medications Policy
Ownership: Clinical Audit and Control Department
Applicability: This Policy limited to private hospitals, day surgical centres, and other centres and outpatient
clinics licensed by Dubai Health Authority.

1. Purpose:

1.1. To set out the requirement for health facilities in order to seek approval for the purchase and use

of registered and non-registered medications in the Emirate of Dubai.

1.2. To assure efficacy, safety and quality of all medications used in the Emirate of Dubai.

1.3. To ensure minimum emergency medications are available within DHA licensed health facilities.

2. Scope:

2.1. All private DHA licensed health facilities that are authorised to maintain non-registered and

registered emergency medications in Dubai aligning with facility’s scope and based on patient

needs, safety, urgency, satisfaction and high quality of care.

3. Definitions and Abbreviations:

Authorised suppliers are registered with MOHAP as the agent for medicine / medicinal products or

registered as a wholesaler with MOHAP.

Controlled Drug: is a medical and pharmaceutical product that contain any of the active substances in

accordance with Federal Law No. (14) of 1995 in respect of of combating Narcotics and psychotropic

Purchasing Emergency and Essential Medications Page 1 of 11 HRS/HPSD/PEM/2/2021

 ‫ﻗﻄﺎع اﻟﺘﻨﻈﻴـﻢ اﻟﺼﺤـﻲ‬
Health Regulation Sector
substances and its amendments, and the lists of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) No.

(1,2,3,4) contained in the United Nations Convention of 1971, which have a significant potential for

abuse, addiction and/or illegal use.

Emergency medications: (life saving medications) is any drug that is required to be given within 24

hours for a life threatening condition.

Healthcare Professional is a natural person who authorized and licensed by the DHA to practice any

of the healthcare professions in the Emirate.

Health Facility: Place permitted to provide health examinations for patients and help for diagnosis,

treatment , nursing or admission for cure and recovery or any other related medical procedures relating

to treatment or rehabilitation post treatment.

Narcotic Drugs: Every natural or synthetic substance that includes group of medical and pharmaceutical

products that contain any of the active substances listed in International Narcotics Control Board (INCB)

schedules Nos. (1,2,3,4) in accordance with the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961 and as

amended in the protocol of 1972 , and Schedules mentioned in the Federal Law No. 14 of 1995 in respect

of combating Narcotic drugs and Psychotropic substances and its amendments.

Pharmaceutical product: A medical product manufactured in a specific pharmaceutical form and has

specific uses in humans or animals.

Pharmacy: A facility licensed to store, prepare, compound, dispense, display or sell medicinal products to

the public directly, through a fixed or mobile facility, permanent or temporary.

Pharmacist: A person who holds a scientific qualification not less than a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy

or its equivalent from a higher institute, college or university recognized in the country, and who is

licensed to practice the profession of pharmacy in the country in accordance with the provisions of

Purchasing Emergency and Essential Medications Page 2 of 11 HRS/HPSD/PEM/2/2021

 ‫ﻗﻄﺎع اﻟﺘﻨﻈﻴـﻢ اﻟﺼﺤـﻲ‬
Health Regulation Sector
Federal Law no. (8) of (2019) Concerning Medical products, Pharmacy profession and Pharmacies and

its executive regulations.

Pharmacist in-charge: is the pharmacist licensed by DHA on a licensed pharmaceutical facility, and is

responsible for implementing the provisions of Federal Law no. (8) of (2019) Concerning Medical

products, Pharmacy profession and Pharmacies and its executive regulations within the scope of the

tasks assigned to him.

Register: is a book issued from the concerned Health Authority (DHA or Ministry of Health and

Prevention (MOHAP)) used by an authorized Healthcare Professionals at health facilities to record the

transactions of Narcotics, CD and SCD medications within the pharmacy and inpatient units.

Registered Drug A registered medicine by MOHAP permitted to be marketed in the United Arab

Emirates (UAE).

Semi Controlled Drugs: is a medical and pharmaceutical products not listed within the schedules

attached to the Federal law No. 14 of 1995 in respect of combating of drugs and psychotropic substances

and its amendments and not listed within the schedules attached to international conventions of the

International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), and has medical benefits, but with long term use in high

doses or use with other substances that might lead to habituation and addiction.

CD : Controlled Drugs

DCS : Drug Control Section

DHA : Dubai Health Authority

DSC : Day Surgical Centres

HRS : Health Regulation Sector

MOHAP : Ministry of Health and Prevention

Purchasing Emergency and Essential Medications Page 3 of 11 HRS/HPSD/PEM/2/2021

 ‫ﻗﻄﺎع اﻟﺘﻨﻈﻴـﻢ اﻟﺼﺤـﻲ‬
Health Regulation Sector
SCD : Semi Controlled Drugs

UAE : United Arab Emirates

4. Policy Statement:

4.1. Health facilities under the jurisdiction of Dubai Health Authority (DHA) in Emirate of Dubai must

meet the minimum Mandatory Emergency Medications requirements, as follows:

4.1.1. Hospital Mandatory Emergency Medications (Appendix 1).

4.1.2. Outpatient Polyclinics Emergency Medications (Appendix 2).

4.1.3. Outpatient Dental Clinics Emergency Medications (Appendix 3).

4.1.4. Other Standalone Outpatient categories (Dermatology, ENT, Ophthalmology, Etc.) shall

provide an emergency kit; which includes and not limited to:

a. Epinephrine, Anti-Histamine (Inj.), Hydrocortisone (Inj.), Nitroglycerin (sublingual

tablet or aerosol spray), Bronchodilator (Inhaler) and equipment for maintaining

airway.

4.1.5. Day Surgery Centers (DSC) Emergency Medications, refer to DHA Standards for

Standalone Day Surgical Centres (linked).

4.2. DSC and other outpatient health facilities may seek to obtain approval to purchase emergency

medications from DHA licenced private hospitals in the following circumstances:

4.2.1. The drug is not registered in the UAE.

4.2.2. The drug is listed as Controlled Drugs (CD) and Semi Controlled Drugs (SCD), which are

currently not allowed to be exchanged between healthcare facilities.

4.2.3. The drug is not included in the list of emergency medications for health facilities and it

falls within the scope of the healthcare provider.

Purchasing Emergency and Essential Medications Page 4 of 11 HRS/HPSD/PEM/2/2021

 ‫ﻗﻄﺎع اﻟﺘﻨﻈﻴـﻢ اﻟﺼﺤـﻲ‬
Health Regulation Sector
4.2.4. Limitation through authorized suppliers/agents in the UAE to marketing and supplying

bulk quantities only.

4.2.5. Restriction through authorized suppliers/agents in the UAE to marketing and supplying

to facilities providing pharmaceutical services only.

4.3. Private hospitals may seek approval to purchase emergency medication from another DHA private

licensed hospital under the following circumstances:

4.3.1. Critical cases and life threatening conditions of the patient.

a. The request shall include the following documents:

i. Patient’s medical report provided by the treating physician.

ii. Medical prescription with all the medication details provided by the

treating physician.

iii. Name of the hospital who will provide the medication.

4.3.2. The drug is out of stock from the supplier and is essential to the hospital’s need.

4.4. Health facilities shall abide to the following process to get the approval:

4.4.1. Send a request to Drug Control Section (DCS), Health Regulation Sector (HRS), DHA

([email protected]).

4.4.2. The request shall include the following:

a. Name of the medication.

b. Quantity of the medication.

c. Strength of the medication.

d. Pharmaceutical form of the medication.

e. Reason for ordering.

Purchasing Emergency and Essential Medications Page 5 of 11 HRS/HPSD/PEM/2/2021

 ‫ﻗﻄﺎع اﻟﺘﻨﻈﻴـﻢ اﻟﺼﺤـﻲ‬
Health Regulation Sector
f. Authorized supplier or the private hospital from where the medication will be

purchased.

g. Signature of the medical director of the healthcare facility, or the pharmacist in

charge.

4.4.3. The request will be reviewed by DCS staff-HRS-DHA and the notification will be sent to

the requester accordingly within five (5) working days.

4.5. After obtaining DHA approval, the health facility can purchase the approved medication quantity

only from DHA licenced private hospital.

4.6. The DHA approval will remain valid for one (1) month; otherwise the health facility will not be able

to purchase the medication unless re-submitting a new request.

4.7. After obtaining DHA approval, all licensed healthcare professionals involved in management and

use of emergency medications shall:

4.7.1. Appropriately trained to provide basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation in emergency

cases.

4.7.2. Obtain privilege by the medical director for the Emergency medication management and

use in accordance with the DHA policies and regulations framework.

4.7.3. Comply with the requirements of this policy including restrictions on prescribing,

dispensing, administration and disposal of these medications.

4.7.4. The anaesthesia and emergency medications in DSC setting shall be managed by the

Pharmacist in-charge or Specialist /Consultant Anaesthesia physicians.

a. For further information, refer to DHA Standards for Standalone Day Surgery

Centers (linked).

Purchasing Emergency and Essential Medications Page 6 of 11 HRS/HPSD/PEM/2/2021

 ‫ﻗﻄﺎع اﻟﺘﻨﻈﻴـﻢ اﻟﺼﺤـﻲ‬
Health Regulation Sector
4.8. DHA will maintain a record of all approval for registered and non-registered medicines purchasing

in the Emirate of Dubai.

4.9. If the facility purchased CD or SCD medication from the hospital, the hospital shall document the

quantity sold in the corresponding DHA CD and SCD register books, mentioning the health

facility’s name to which the drug was sold, and the receiving health facility shall maintain a DHA

CD and SCD register books for future documentation.

Purchasing Emergency and Essential Medications Page 7 of 11 HRS/HPSD/PEM/2/2021

 ‫ﻗﻄﺎع اﻟﺘﻨﻈﻴـﻢ اﻟﺼﺤـﻲ‬
Health Regulation Sector
5. References:

5.1. American Academy of Emergency Medicine Resident and Student Association (AAEM/RSA)

(2015). Guide for 50 Drugs Every Emergency Physician Should Know.

5.2. American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (2018). Use of Nitrous Oxide for Pediatric Dental

Patients.

5.3. American Dental Association (ADA) (2007). Guidelines for the Use of Sedation and General

Anesthesia by Dentists.

5.4. American Dental Society of Anesthesiology (2006). Management of Medical Emergencies in the

Dental Office: Conditions in Each Country, the Extent of Treatment by the Dentist.

5.5. American Dental Society of Anesthesiology. (2008). Nitrous Oxide and the Inhalation

Anaesthetics.

5.6. Dubai Health Authority (2021). Pharmacy Guideline (Linked).

5.7. Dubai Health Authority (2021). Standards for Standalone Day surgery Centers (Linked).

5.8. Dubai Health Authority (2012). Outpatient Care Facilities Regulation Dubai Health Authority

(linked).

5.9. Department of Health Abu Dhabi (2016). HAAD Standard for Managing the Supply and Safe

Use of medications licensed Healthcare Facilities.

5.10. Department of Health Abu Dhabi (2015). HAAD Standard for Non-Registered Medicines.

5.11. Federal Law no. (8) Of 2019 concerning Medical products, Pharmacy profession and Pharmacies.

5.12. Ministry of Health and Prevention. Issue of Permit to Import Medicines from a Local Agent

(Linked).

5.13. Ministry of Health and Prevention (2016). Dental Clinic Guidelines Regulation Ministry of

Health.

Purchasing Emergency and Essential Medications Page 8 of 11 HRS/HPSD/PEM/2/2021

 ‫ﻗﻄﺎع اﻟﺘﻨﻈﻴـﻢ اﻟﺼﺤـﻲ‬
Health Regulation Sector

6. Appendices:
6.1. Appendix 1 – Mandatory Emergency Medications for Hospitals.

No. Description Strength Qty

1 Adenosine Injection 6mg/2ml 4
2 Epinephrine (Adrenaline) 1:10,000 (0.1mg/ml) 10ml Prefilled Syringe or 0.1mg/ml 5
1:1000 (1mg/ml) 1ml Ampoule if prefilled syringe not available or
1mg/ml
3 Amiodarone Injection 150mg/3ml 2
4 Atropine 0.2mg/ml 5ml Pre-filled Syringe or 0.2mg/ml 5ml 5
0.6mg/ml 1ml Ampoule if prefilled syringe not available or
0.6mg/ml 1ml
5 Calcium Chloride 10% Injection 1gm/10ml 2
6 Calcium Gluconate 10% Injection 1gm/10ml 2
7 Cisatracurium Injection * 2mg/ml 3
8 Dextrose 50% Vial 50gm/100ml 1
9 Diazepam Injection 10mg/2ml 2
10 Diazepam Rectal solution 5 mg 2
11 Dopamine Injection 200mg/5ml 2
12 Dantrolene sodium for injection** 20mg 12
13 Epinephrine (Autoinjector/prefilled Pen) Pediatric 0.15mg (150mcg) 1
14 Epinephrine (Autoinjector/prefilled Pen) Adult 0.3mg (300mcg) 1
15 Flumazenil (Anexate) Injection 0.5mg/5ml 1
16 Furosemide Injection 20mg/2ml 2
17 Glucagon Injection 1mg 1
18 Glyceryl Trinitrate sublingual Spray 400mcg/Dose 1 pack
19 Hydrocortisone Injection 100mg/2ml 3
20 Lidocaine Hydrochloride 2% Injection 100mg/5ml 2
21 Labetalol HCL Injection 100mg /20 ml 2
22 Vasopressin Injection * 20 IU/ml 2
23 Magnesium Sulphate 50% Injection (0.5g/ml) 2
24 Midazolam Injection 15mg/3ml 1
25 Naloxone Injection 0.4mg /ml 2
26 Phenobarbitone Injection 200mg/ml 2
27 Rocuronium bromide Injection* 10mg/ml 3
28 Suxamethonium chloride Injection* 50mg/ml 3
29 Sodium Bicarbonate 8.4% 50ml Prefilled Syringe 84mg/ml 2
30 Salbutamol Injection 500mcg/ml 1
31 Salbutamol Aerosol Inhalation Nebules 1mg/ml 10
32 Ringer Lactate 500ml 2
33 Dextrose 5% (D5W) 500ml 2
34 Sodium Chloride 0.9% (NS) 500ml 2
35 Sodium Chloride 0.9% (NS) Ampoules 10ml 10
36 Water For Injection 5ml 5
* Keep in fridge
** Only for Operation Theatre

Purchasing Emergency and Essential Medications Page 9 of 11 HRS/HPSD/PEM/2/2021

 ‫ﻗﻄﺎع اﻟﺘﻨﻈﻴـﻢ اﻟﺼﺤـﻲ‬
Health Regulation Sector

6.2. Appendix 2 – Mandatory Emergency Medications for Outpatient Polyclinics*.

No. Description Strength Qty

1 Adenosine Injection 6mg/2ml 3
2 Adrenaline Injection 1:1000-1ml 5
3 Amiodarone Injection 50mg/ml 2
4 Atropine Injection 600mcg 5
5 Calcium gluconate 10%- 10ml 1gm/10ml 2
6 Diazepam Injection 10mg/2ml 1
7 Diazepam Rectal solution 5 mg 1
8 Dextrose 50% Vial 50gm/100ml 2
9 Dopamine Injection 200mg/5ml 1
10 Furosemide Injection 20mg/2ml 2
11 Glucagon Injection 1mg 1
12 Hydrocortisone Injection 100mg/2ml 2
13 Magnesium Sulphate 50% Injection (0.5g/ml) 2
14 Salbutamol Aerosol Inhalation Nebules 1mg/ml 10
15 Salbutamol Inhaler 100mcg/Dose 1
16 Glyceryl Trinitrate sublingual Spray 400mcg/Dose 1
17 Epinephrine (Autoinjector/prefilled Pen) Pediatric 0.15mg (150mcg) 1
18 Epinephrine (Autoinjector/prefilled Pen) Adult 0.3mg (300mcg) 1
19 Ringer Lactate 500ml 2
20 Dextrose 5% (D5W) 500ml 2
21 Sodium Chloride 0.9% (NS) 500ml 2
22 Sodium Chloride 0.9% (NS) Ampoules 10ml 10
23 Water For Injection 5 ml 5

* Other Standalone Outpatient categories (Dermatology, ENT, Ophthalmology, Etc.) shall provide an emergency kit; which
includes and not limited to: Epinephrine, Anti-Histamine (Inj.), Hydrocortisone (Inj.), Nitroglycerin (sublingual tablet or
aerosol spray), Bronchodilator (Inhaler) and equipment for maintaining airway.

Purchasing Emergency and Essential Medications Page 10 of 11 HRS/HPSD/PEM/2/2021

 ‫ﻗﻄﺎع اﻟﺘﻨﻈﻴـﻢ اﻟﺼﺤـﻲ‬
Health Regulation Sector

6.3. Appendix 3 – Mandatory Emergency Medications for Outpatient Dental Clinics.

No. Description Strength Qty

1 Adrenaline Injection 1:1000-1ml 3
2 Atropine Injection 600mcg 2
3 Dextrose 5% Injection (250ml) 50gm/ml 2
4 Epinephrine (Autoinjector/prefilled Pen) Pediatric 0.15mg (150mcg) 1
5 Epinephrine (Autoinjector/prefilled Pen) Adult 0.3mg (300mcg) 1
6 Glucagon Injection 1mg 1
7 Glyceryl Trinitrate sublingual Spray 400mcg/Dose 1
8 Salbutamol Inhaler 100mcg/Dose 1
9 Sodium Chloride 0.9% (NS) Ampoules 10ml 10
10 Water For Injection 5 ml 5

* Dental professionals has to be well trained, experience and aware of how to use emergency medications.

Purchasing Emergency and Essential Medications Page 11 of 11 HRS/HPSD/PEM/2/2021