UAE Launches EDE DAWA Tool for Medicine Side Effects

Dubai: The UAE has introduced a smart reporting tool named EDE DAWA, enabling residents to log suspected adverse reactions linked to medicines and medical products. UAE weight-loss drug crackdown: 71 sources targeted. EDE conducts over 568 inspections since start of year.

As part of efforts to develop reporting channels and make them more accessible, EDE is making its smart “EDE DAWA” tool available during the campaign week. She emphasised that the campaign’s value extends beyond raising awareness to establishing a sustainable practice in which reporting becomes part of the responsible use of medicines.

This will enable members of the public to report potential side effects of medical products.

Coordinated by the UMC in collaboration with medicines regulatory authorities, pharmacovigilance centres and international organisations worldwide, the campaign coincides with the 11th edition of the global initiative. Climate change is ‘global health emergency’: Lancet.

This year’s theme, “Side effects – Don’t ignore them, report them!”, places patients’ experiences at the centre of its messages.

The rollout coincides with a nationwide public awareness drive managed by the Emirates Drug Establishment.

Public users can access the system via a dedicated campaign QR code or through online portals featuring separate intake pathways for individuals and pharmaceutical facilities.

Uppsala Monitoring Centre, a non-profit foundation established in Sweden in 1978 and acting as a World Health Organization collaborating centre, collaborated on developing and approving the system.

The tool is designed to simplify the submission of information and its referral to specialists for review and assessment through established procedures, developed and approved as part of EDE’s partnership with the Uppsala Monitoring Centre (UMC). 27 of 2026 issued by the Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Dr Ruqaya Aqeel Al Bastaki, Acting Executive Director of the Medical Products Regulation Sector at the regulatory body, noted that monitoring product safety continues throughout a medicine’s lifecycle after receiving marketing authorization. Helping strengthen knowledge of practices and procedures related to medical product safety, a virtual seminar for the pharmaceutical industry will cover the responsibilities of companies and establishments and pharmacovigilance requirements. She stressed that the responsibility of authorities concerned with medicine safety does not end when a product is approved and placed on the market. Consistent awareness messages and clearly defined official reporting channels help encourage participation among target groups and strengthen confidence in the regulatory system, al Bastaki noted that unified national efforts. UAE unveils new rules for traditional medicine safety.

Officials stressed that community reporting helps identify safety signals that require further scientific investigation.

Key Highlights

• Campaign Dates: MedSafetyWeek 2026 runs from November 2 to 8
• Collaborating Authorities: Ministry of Health and Prevention, Emirates Health Services, Dubai Health Authority, Department of Health Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah Health Authority
• Regulatory Framework: Guide to Controls, Conditions and Good Pharmacovigilance Practices approved under Decision No. 27 of 2026

The awareness program features virtual workshops for medical professionals regarding safety monitoring, alongside campus outreach events at the University of Sharjah to train students on official reporting channels. Turkey to ban social media for under-15s from November.