Healthcare Regulatory Update: The United Arab Emirates

Healthcare Regulatory Update: The United Arab Emirates published by Datamonitor in January, 2010. This report consists of Pages: 44 and the price starts from US $ 3800.

Introduction

Abstract

Introduction

The fragmented nature of the healthcare systems in the United Arab Emirates remains despite the implementation of health reforms in the emirates of Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The two major emirates are currently at different stages in the development and implementation of reform with the gap between them in terms of access to healthcare and pharmaceuticals widening, with Abu Dhabi leading the way.

Scope of this research

• Insight into the inequality of healthcare access and associated costs which has led to reform in the UAE
• Overview of the latest regulatory reforms in the UAE and their impact on key stakeholders
• Update of strategies to improve healthcare standards and access in Abu Dhabi
• Update of strategies to improve healthcare standards and access in Dubai

Research and analysis highlights

Healthcare reforms in the UAE have aimed to improve the accessibility and quality of healthcare services available to residents while reducing the burden of public financing of healthcare. Since 2009, a number of reforms have been proposed and implemented, while others have been postponed in light of the recent global economic downturn.

In Abu Dhabi, since the passing of the Health Insurance Bill in 2005, most residents are now covered by health insurance, with this being justified by increasing encounters between physicians and patients. The HAAD has also implemented a number of cost saving strategies, a screening program for nationals, and an eHealth platform.

In Dubai, the timelines for the proposed health insurance reforms have been postponed. For expatriates, especially those on very low wages (such as labourers), the postponement will mean that access to healthcare will remain patchy, since they will have to pay out-of-pocket for treatment, or depend on the goodwill of their employers.

Key reasons to purchase this research

• Understand the latest changes to the UAE healthcare market and the strategic implications of current/ future reforms to your business
• Identify opportunities for mutually beneficial relationships between your firm and other stakeholders
• Understand the latest commercial trends adopted in the healthcare industry in response to, and in anticipation of the latest reforms

Table of Contents

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

• Strategic scoping and focus
• Key findings
• Related reports

2. OVERVIEW OF REGULATORY AND COMMERCIAL TRENDS IN THE UAE

• Key findings
• Inequality of healthcare access and associated costs has led to reform in the UAE
  • High price of drugs in the UAE has contributed to high healthcare costs and inequality to access

• Generic manufacturers diversify along the value chain
  • Local generics manufacturers are transitioning towards innovative manufacturing
  • Local generics manufacturers have also been moving into distribution and retail

• Overview of healthcare reforms in Abu Dhabi and Dubai

3. REGULATORY UPDATE OF HEALTHCARE REFORMS IN ABU DHABI

• Key findings
• Update of strategies to improve healthcare standards and access in Abu Dhabi
• HAAD' s proposed pro-generic regulatory interventions
  • Development of a positive formulary list for the basic health insurance policy
  • Diagnosis coding is expected to lead to the reduction of medical errors
  • Rational drug use program cuts down unnecessary prescribing
  • Compulsory prescription by molecular name

• The HAAD has developed a number of strategies to limit future drug shortages
  • The Ministry of Health has fast-tracked approval for the manufacturing of vaccines locally for emergency use

• The HAAD is expanding the Weqaya screening program to include follow up tests and mammograms
• Implications of the introduction of the Thiqa program
  • Introduction of co-payments to the Thiqa program to prevent abuse

• Standardization of healthcare pathways
• Improving patient compliance
• DAMAN to block reimbursement for inferior medical treatment

4. REGULATORY UPDATE OF HEALTHCARE REFORMS IN DUBAI

• Key findings
• Update of strategies to improve healthcare standards and access in Dubai
• Expatriate private sector insurance reforms delayed, but public sector reforms enacted
  • The timelines for the implementation of the health insurance reforms in Dubai have been postponed
  • Implementation of health insurance program for public sector employees
  • Launch of small-scale screening programs in Dubai

5. BIBLIOGRAPHY

• Contributing experts
• Datamonitor reports
• Publications and online articles

APPENDIX

• Exchange rates

TABLES

• Table: Trends in public and private sector healthcare facilities, Abu Dhabi, 2007 - 08
• Table: Summary of the Enaya insurance plan in Dubai
• Table: Exchange rates, 2009

FIGURES

• Figure: The Health Authority of Abu Dhabi' s (HAAD) Unified Prescription Form
• Figure: Impact of the HAAD' s pro-generic reforms in February 2009 on consumption of brands in March 2009 in Abu Dhabi
• Figure: Flow-chart showing reasons for drug unavailability in Abu Dhabi, 2009
• Figure: The roll-out (Phase 1) and subsequent development of the Weqaya program in Abu Dhabi, 2008 - 09
• Figure: The Health Authority of Abu Dhabi' s (HAAD) Public Health Priority Matrix for Abu Dhabi, 2010
• Figure: Access to healthcare for nationals and expatriates at public and private healthcare facilities in Dubai, 2009

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