Pharmaceutical manufacturers, medical device importers, and life sciences companies in the UAE benefit from free zones that offer regulatory support, cold-chain logistics, and proximity to UAE health authority approvals.
Dubai Science Park (DSP)
Dubai Science Park is the leading science and technology free zone in the UAE, home to over 600 companies including Pfizer, Johnson and Johnson, and Novartis. DSP offers licences for pharmaceutical manufacturing, medical device trading, biotechnology, and research and development. It is home to the region’s largest science and technology cluster and provides RERA-regulated laboratory and office space. Annual licence costs: AED 15,000–25,000 for trading companies, AED 30,000–80,000+ for manufacturing operations. DSP has direct relationships with Dubai Health Authority (DHA) and Ministry of Health (MOH) to streamline product registration.
Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (KEZAD)
KEZAD is Abu Dhabi’s industrial free zone and is preferred by pharmaceutical manufacturers who need large-scale production facilities. KEZAD offers purpose-built pharmaceutical-grade warehousing, GMP-compliant manufacturing units, and direct port access via Khalifa Port. Licence costs are competitive for large manufacturers at AED 10,000–20,000/year for trading plus warehouse/land lease. KEZAD clients benefit from expedited ADDA (Abu Dhabi Department of Agriculture and Food Safety) and MOH approvals through the free zone’s regulatory liaison desk.
Key Regulatory Requirements
All pharmaceutical companies in UAE free zones must register products with the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP). Medical devices require MDMA (Medical Devices and Medicinal Products Authority) registration. Cold-chain logistics companies need GDP (Good Distribution Practice) certification. The UAE Drug Establishment Licence is issued by MOHAP and is mandatory for all pharmaceutical trading and manufacturing entities.
Pricing Evidence & Source Notes
Use this profile as a planning guide, not a final invoice. Confirm the current package, activity wording, visas, office or flexi-desk requirement and renewal amount before payment.
| Free Zone | Package | Year 1 Cost | Renewal Cost | 3-Year Total | Visa Option | Office / Flexi Requirement | Year 1 Confidence | Source Type | Conflict Status | Last Reviewed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UAE Free Zone for Pharmaceutical and Medical Device | Current authority package | Quote-based - confirm current package Confidence: Needs confirmation |
Quote-based renewal - confirm current package Confidence: Needs confirmation |
Quote-based 3-year total - depends on renewal Confidence: Needs confirmation |
Depends on package and office allocation | Authority quote required | Authority quote required | Current package / renewal confirmation required | June 2026 |
| What is included | Confirmed only after authority or partner quote. |
|---|---|
| What is not included | Visas, insurance, medical, Emirates ID, office upgrades, amendments and cancellation unless quoted. |
| Hidden-cost risk | Confirm establishment card, visas, office/flexi desk, insurance, renewal and cancellation before payment. |
| Banking difficulty | Medium - depends on activity and documents |
| Best fit | Founders comparing this free zone against activity, visa, office, banking and renewal requirements. |
Source evidence: Review source | Methodology | Corrections.
Prices can change based on free zone authority updates, activity selection, visa count, office or flexi-desk requirement, shareholder structure, establishment card, immigration file, medical test, Emirates ID, insurance, banking support and consultant service fees. Last reviewed June 2026. Always request a current quote before payment. View methodology or compare all rows in the UAE Free Zone Cost Index.