The UAE government has decided to amend certain provisions of the Federal Decree-Law concerning issues related to pharmaceuticals, specifically those regulating the distribution and possession of narcotics and psychotropic substances for both scientific and medical purposes.

According to the new Federal Decree-Law, foreign residents in the UAE convicted of drug-related offenses will be deported even after serving their sentences.

Through this law, the government aims to impose stricter penalties on medical practitioners who abuse their authority in prescribing these narcotics and psychotropic substances.

It is worth noting that the UAE government has recently adopted several measures to enhance community protection and strengthen the national framework for combating narcotics and psychotropic substances, in line with the UAE's regulatory, health, and security standards.

The new decree grants the Emirates Drug Authority (EDA) broader powers, making it the competent authority for regulating medical products in the UAE, replacing the original law which relied on directives to the Ministry of Health and Prevention and the Minister of Health and Prevention.

In addition to transferring the authority for anti-narcotics units in the UAE to the relevant department within the UAE Ministry of Interior, the UAE Cabinet is expected to issue detailed regulations for this decree in the near future to govern the operation of these units.

The new decree also grants local authorities in each emirate greater powers to establish similar units to enhance the capabilities of the health sector.

The new law stipulates several strict penalties for dispensing narcotics and psychotropic substances in the country without a valid prescription or for dispensing such drugs in quantities exceeding the permitted limits.

Penalties for these offenses include imprisonment for a minimum of five years and fines of no less than AED 50,000.

The new law also stipulates the deportation of foreigners convicted in such cases after serving their sentences.

However, this penalty of deportation will be waived for UAE residents convicted of these crimes if the person is the spouse or first-degree relative of a UAE citizen at the time the crime was committed, and if the person is a member of a family residing in the UAE, given that deportation in this case would harm the stability of the family.