The UAE recorded 5,122 reports of suspected adverse drug reactions between January and September 2026, marking a 16.7% increase compared with the 4,390 reports received during the same period in 2025, according to the Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE). The regulator noted that approximately 20% of the 5,840 reports registered throughout 2025 were classified as serious.
The increase in reports does not necessarily indicate that medicines are becoming less safe. According to the EDE, higher reporting numbers may reflect greater public awareness, improved reporting channels, increased participation from healthcare professionals and changes in medicine usage or data collection.
The establishment is encouraging patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals to report suspected adverse reactions, even when there is no confirmed evidence linking a medicine to the symptoms. Warning signs requiring immediate medical attention include breathing difficulties, swelling of the tongue or throat, fainting, severe skin reactions, unusual bleeding and persistent severe pain.
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Common medication-related side-effects may include digestive problems, allergic reactions and low blood sugar, depending on the medicine and the patient’s health condition. Some newer obesity treatments targeting GLP-1 receptors may also cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation and abdominal pain.
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The EDE assesses submitted reports by reviewing symptom onset, dosage, medical history, other medications and available safety information. Depending on the findings, regulatory action may include updating medicine information, issuing safety warnings, introducing additional monitoring requirements or restricting a product’s use.
The regulator emphasised that medicine safety monitoring continues even after approval, highlighting the importance of timely reporting in identifying potential risks and protecting public health.
