Drug Store business registration and licensing in Dubai involves multiple steps and approvals. Below is a comprehensive guide covering all key medical warehouse setup steps required to launch your drug store legally.

Want the full background before the step-by-step process? Explore our detailed blog on How to Open a Drug Store(Medical Warehouse) in Dubai.

Step 1. Initial Approval and Name Reservation from DET

The first step in drug store license process in Dubai is to secure an initial approval from the Dubai Economy and Tourism Department (DET).  Initial documents must be submitted to Dubai Economy and Tourism Department (DET) in order to get the Initial Approval. Documents include:

• Valid and clear passport copies of the shareholders and managers
• UBOs information
• UAE visa and Emirates ID copies (for residents)
• Entry stamp page copy from passport and visas (if applicable) of all the parties
• Corporate shareholder additional documents (License, Certificate of Registration, current Certificate of Good Standing, Memorandum of Association, current Certificate of Incumbency, Board Resolution/POA)

Parallelly with the initial approval, the trade name for the Drug Store can be reserved with DET. Although it is an easy process, the trade name reservation can be challenging due to unavailability of names or restrictions by DET. Generally, the trade name should match the business activity, therefore, any trade name chosen will include the words “Drug Store” in it. Also, there are several restrictions by DET in relation to names, for instance:

• The work “Dubai” or “UAE” can not be included in the name as well as the name can not include religious, obscene, offensive or indecent words.
• Also, the name should not be similar to existing company names or brand names in Dubai.
• To make the name reservation smooth, please prepare at least five (5) name options in advance, before applying for the name reservation.

For more on operational requirements and compliance, see our blog on Operating a Drug Store in Dubai.

Step 2. Lease Agreement Signing and Ejari Registration

To obtain the Drug Store license, you would need to rent a warehouse that can meet special technical requirements imposed by the Ministry of Health, in accordance with the Cabinet Resolution No. (90) of 2021 Concerning Technical and Health Requirements for Medical Warehouses.

• A warehouse size has to be minimum 50 sqm excluding office and toilet space,
• And must be climate controlled,
• With proper storage for different types of medications, including a refrigerator with a digital thermometer.

Finding the warehouse that meet these criteria could be challenging, therefore, it is best to start your Drug Store business by searching for the required warehouse.

To help with finding the right location for your Drug Store, Lex Estates can assist with MOHAP-compliant warehouse options tailored for pharmaceutical businesses in Dubai.

Once you’ve obtained the initial approval and name reservation certificate, you can now formalize the lease agreement for the chosen location and register the lease contract with Ejari system. Before signing the lease agreement, ensure that the chosen warehouse meets the technical requirements of the Ministry of Health. This is a critical step in the drugstore license process in Dubai.

Step 3. Initial Approval from Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP)

As you have obtained the Initial Approval from DET, reserved the Drug Store’s Trade Name and formalized the Lease, now you can apply for the Initial Approval from MOHAP.

This step involves:

Application submission to MOHAP along with the documents of shareholders and a manager,

Trade name reservation certificate

Initial Approval certificate issued by DET

The site’s architectural drawing approved by an engineering consultant office.

Once the application is submitted, MOHAP conducts ⁠initial inspection on the warehouse and, if satisfactory, issues the Initial Approval and Letter to continue the process with DET.

Step 4. Final Registration and License from DET

Once you have the Initial Approval and Letter form MOHAP, you may go back to DET and finalize the company registration and license.

The documents required at this stage are:

• ⁠Memorandum of Association signed either at DET or notary public
• Ejari
• Initial Approval and Letter from MOHAP

After documents submission, DET reviews them and issues a payment voucher for all fees payable for the registration and license. You may proceed with payment at DET or through online channels and receive the company registration documents along with the license from the DET.

However, the license from DET is not enough to operate Drug Store business, because it still requires some approvals from relevant authorities and license from MOHAP.

Step 5. Registration with MOHRE and GDRFA

Before hiring employees, the company has to register with:

• The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization (MOHRE) and
• General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs of Dubai (GDRFA)

MOHRE registration is required to apply for labor-related applications of your company, including job offer, employee contracts and work permits. GDRFA registration is mandatory for the residency visa applications of foreign employees. This step is important to complete the drugstore license process in Dubai and prepare for pharmacist recruitment.

Step 6. Hire a Pharmacist

The Drug Store has to have a pharmacist in charge in accordance with MOHAP rules, therefore you would need to hire a pharmacist at this stage.

Hiring process involves:

• Issuance of the offer letter by the Drug Store through MOHRE
• Applying for work permit, obtaining employment visa entry permit (if applicable) from GDRFA
• Medical checkup, biometrics scanning and obtaining final employment visa and Emirates ID
• If the person has already a visa sponsored by a family member, then only work permit would be sufficient

Apart from employment formalities, a pharmacist has to get a Health Professional License for the pharmacist from MOHAP prior to working as a pharmacist in the UAE. You may hire a pharmacist who is already licensed by MOHAP or you may hire a pharmacist who is not yet licensed by MOHAP. If a pharmacist is not licensed by MOHAP, then he/she must get a license from MOHAP by passing the assessment and required criteria.

The required documents for the pharmacist to get MOHAP license include:

• Accredited univercity degree certificate
• Experience certificate from previous employer(s)
• Assessment certificate from MOHAP
• Certificate of good conduct
• Copy of passport, visa and EID (if already a resident)
• Pharmacist’s character reference letter
• Job offer or employment contract and labor card from the Drug Store

The key conditions for getting the MOHAP license for pharmacists are that they must have:

• Bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from a recognized university
• Have at least two years of experience in the same field
• There should not be more than a two-year gap in the pharmacist’s work record

Step 7. Dubai Civil Defense Certificate of Safety

One of the requirements to get a final MOHAP license for the Drug Store is to get Dubai Civil Defense (DCD) Certificate of Safety (COS) in relation to fire safety.

To get the DCD Certificate:

• A company has to enter into annual Maintenance Contract (AMC) with DCD-approved fire safety company
• And ensuring fire protection systems are regularly inspected, tested, and maintained

This contract is crucial for complying with Dubai’s fire safety regulations, minimizing the risk of fire incidents, and ensuring the safety of building occupants. 

Step 8. Final MOHAP Inspection and License

Now you can submit a request to MOHAP for the final inspection and pay the associated fees. Once the final inspection is approved by MOHAP, submit the final approval request with all required documents. If the application is approved and the license fee is paid, MOHAP issues the final license electronically and sends via email or available for download from the MOHAP website. 

At this stage the Drug Store can legally operate. Nevertheless, other administrative requirements have to be fulfilled such as opening a corporate bank account, corporate tax registration, VAT registration (subject to T&C).

Need help completing your Drug Store setup in Dubai? Our team can guide you through MOHAP licensing, compliance, and post-setup support. Get in touch now.

Moreover, any medical product has to be registered and approved by MOHAP before importing into the UAE. At this stage, you may apply for product registration to MOHAP as a licensed Drug Store.

If you’re ready for this step, you can start the process through CorpLex’s Product Registration Service tailored specifically for licensed Drug Stores.