The UAE has introduced tighter laws to combat the misuse of narcotics, including severe penalties for medical practitioners who abuse their authority to prescribe or dispense controlled substances. Additionally, foreign nationals convicted of narcotics offences will face deportation upon completing their sentences, with limited exceptions. These amendments aim to protect the community, uphold justice, safeguard rights, and enhance the national framework for combating narcotics in line with international health and security standards.
New Authority and Stricter Penalties
Under the updated decree-law, references to the Ministry of Health and Prevention are replaced with the Emirates Drug Establishment and its chairperson, designating it as the competent authority for regulating medical products. Similarly, the National Anti-Narcotics Authority now leads national efforts against narcotics-related crimes. Federal health authorities and private facilities are also permitted to establish specialised units for treatment and rehabilitation of individuals addicted to narcotic drugs, with detailed regulations to be issued by the UAE Cabinet.
The law imposes harsher penalties for violations, including dispensing drugs without a valid prescription or exceeding approved limits. Offenders face imprisonment for at least five years and fines of no less than Dh50,000. Physicians issuing prescriptions without a licence, medical justification, or within unapproved limits are subject to the same penalties, and such acts are considered facilitation of narcotics use.
Medical Use and Deportation Rules
The amendments clarify possession and handling of narcotics for scientific and medical purposes. Licences may be granted to qualified entities, such as health facilities, research centres, testing laboratories, and manufacturing or distribution facilities, under competent authority supervision. Certain plant parts listed in the law’s schedules remain exempt from criminalisation under approved controls.
Deportation is mandatory for foreign nationals convicted of narcotics offences, except in cases where the individual is a spouse or first-degree relative of a UAE citizen at the time of the offence, or where deportation would severely harm a family residing in the UAE and they can financially support treatment. These rules ensure enforcement while considering humanitarian circumstances.
