India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have agreed to strengthen cooperation in the pharmaceuticals and healthcare sector, with a focus on improving regulatory processes and market access.
During a meeting on August 29, India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and UAE Minister of Foreign Trade Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi discussed strategies to enhance healthcare trade under the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
Pharma Trade Facilitation: UAE assured faster registration and regulatory clearances, while India expressed readiness for inspections and audits.
Ayurveda & Traditional Medicine: Both nations identified opportunities in expanding trade in Ayurvedic and herbal healthcare products.
Regulatory Cooperation: India welcomed the establishment of the Emirates Drug Establishment, which will help address concerns of Indian pharmaceutical companies.
Joint Oversight: Both ministers agreed to resolve regulatory issues through the CEPA Joint Committee and emphasized timely data sharing for effective monitoring.
The discussions reflect a joint commitment to deepen healthcare and pharma collaboration, ensuring faster access, smoother trade flows, and stronger bilateral economic partnership.