The UAE Drug Authority has launched the “Who Reports… Is Safe” pharmacovigilance campaign in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Prevention, the Emirates Health Services Corporation, the Dubai Health Authority, the Abu Dhabi Department of Health, and the Sharjah Health Authority. This initiative is part of the ongoing celebrations for the Global MedSafetyWeek 2026, which runs until November 8.
Campaign Objectives and Significance
This campaign aims to promote a culture of reporting suspected side effects associated with medications, establishing a collaborative approach among health authorities to protect patients and ensure the safety of medical products. It coincides with the eleventh cycle of the global initiative coordinated by the Uppsala Monitoring Centre in partnership with drug regulatory agencies, pharmacovigilance centres, and international organisations worldwide. This year, the campaign carries the slogan “Don’t Ignore Side Effects… Report Them!” emphasising patient experiences and raising awareness about the value of information provided by individuals and healthcare practitioners regarding suspected side effects during medication use.
Role of the UAE Drug Authority
The UAE Drug Authority asserts that the campaign reflects its responsibility as a federal regulatory body in coordinating national efforts related to medication safety. It aims to connect awareness and reporting with scientific follow-up, evaluation, and regulatory decision-making. The initiative targets enhancing the engagement of stakeholders with its activities and messages, clarifying the roles of patients, caregivers, healthcare providers, and pharmaceutical establishments in reporting, which supports the ongoing monitoring of medical product safety post-marketing.
Educational Initiatives and Outreach
The campaign includes virtual workshops for healthcare practitioners regarding drug safety monitoring and managing suspected side effects, along with informative visits to the University of Sharjah, which will feature simplified lectures about pharmacovigilance and the importance of reporting. Additionally, students will be introduced to official reporting channels and trained on their usage.
A virtual seminar for the pharmaceutical industry will also be part of the programme, focusing on the responsibilities of companies and entities, as well as the requirements of pharmacovigilance, thereby enhancing knowledge of practices and procedures related to the safety of medical products.
Introduction of New Reporting Tools
To enhance reporting channels and facilitate accessibility, the UAE Drug Authority has launched the “EDE DAWA” smart tool during the campaign week, enabling community members to report potential side effects of medical products. This tool has been developed and endorsed through a partnership with the Uppsala Monitoring Centre, assisting in the easy submission of information for expert review and assessment according to approved pathways, thereby supporting ongoing monitoring of medical product safety.
Commitment to Continuous Safety Oversight
Dr Raqiyah Al Bastaki, Acting Executive Director of the Medical Products Regulatory Sector at the UAE Drug Authority, stated that the campaign embodies a regulatory approach that links community awareness with scientific follow-up and regulatory actions. She emphasised that the responsibility of relevant authorities regarding drug safety does not end upon approval and market release; rather, it continues throughout the product’s life cycle as information regarding its use evolves.
Moreover, she highlighted that reports on suspected side effects represent one of the sources of information subject to evaluation alongside other scientific evidence, assisting in the detection of indicators requiring further investigation and informed decision-making based on available data. Building an effective pharmacovigilance system necessitates collaboration among regulatory bodies, healthcare practitioners, the pharmaceutical industry, and the active participation of patients and caregivers in communicating relevant information. Dr Al Bastaki pointed out that harmonising national efforts, ensuring consistency in awareness messages, and clarifying official reporting channels are crucial factors that foster stakeholder participation and build trust in the regulatory framework.
Encouraging Community Participation
Dr Raqiyah Al Bastaki concluded by stressing that the value of the campaign extends beyond raising awareness; it lays the groundwork for sustainable practices where reporting is entrenched as a responsible way to manage medications.
The campaign receives additional regulatory significance following the UAE Drug Authority’s adoption of the “Guide to Good Pharmacovigilance Practices for Pharmaceutical Products” in July, under Board of Directors Resolution No. (27) of 2026. This guide serves as a national reference for defining the responsibilities of involved entities and the requirements for monitoring and assessing safety information, along with managing risks associated with pharmaceutical products post-marketing approval.
The UAE Drug Authority urges patients, caregivers, and healthcare practitioners to report suspected side effects through designated official channels. Sharing this information contributes significantly to public health protection and enhances the safety of medication and medical product use.