The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) signed a strategic agreement with GlaxoSmithKline Export Limited (GSK) for the arrangement and distribution of medical and pharmaceutical supplies in emergency situations. The contract falls in line with the efforts to reinforce the UAE's medical health safety and security, according to the Article (4) of Cabinet Decision No. 39 of 2015.

The list of medications covered under the contract includes a number of products for the treatment of respiratory diseases, nervous system diseases, infections, urology diseases, genecology and obstetrics, immune system disorders, and other chronic diseases.

The finalizing ceremony was participated in by Dr. Mohammed Salim Al Olama, Undersecretary of the Ministry; Dr. Abdul Karim Abdullah Al Zarouni, Director of Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Operations Center at the Ministry; and Sally Storey, Vice President and General Manager, representative of GSK.

Dr. Abdul Karim Abdullah Al Zarouni said that the signing of the contract falls within the framework of boosting health and clinical protection; the fostering of innovative plans to promote positive plans and rapid response to manage emergency situations, with guaranteeing the supply of medical supply, which covers the demands for one year, and includes ready-to-use medicines for six months. A participating committee is also formed to act on sychronisation between the parties as part of the agreement and to accomplish check outs to the firms.

The Ministry will certainly facilitate the movement of medicines covered under the agreement from storage places to be provided to the worried destinations in case of emergency, as decideded upon by the stakeholders and other clinical departments, according to the UAE's federal laws and regulations.

GSK will keep a supply of emergency situation clinical supplies ready in its stockrooms based on the storage problems stipulated by the policies and criteria to ensure their safety and security and ease of usage when needed, along with preserving an electronic relate to the Crisis and Calamity Workflow Center at the Ministry. Additionally, GSK will designate an employee to function as the point-of-contact for the Ministry. The company will likewise oversee the transfer and supply of needed items to the strategic medical supply stockroom of the Ministry or other designated entity.

Sally Storey, Vice President and General Manager, GSK GCC, commented, "We are pleased to partner with the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention to ensure that patients in the UAE have access to the most effective, high quality medicines when needed. Access to medicines, even in challenging circumstances, whether locally, regionally or globally, remains a huge part of our agenda and I strongly believe that initiatives such as these play a vital and much needed role.

"We are committed to functioning together with the government and different health authorities to assiast accomplish the UAE's 2021 Healthcare Vision and ultimately continue to offer the community we run in, to the highest possible level," she wrapped up.