Pharmacy License in the UAE: Categories, Fees and Rules
Short answer: DHA licenses pharmacies in four categories: community or retail, hospital, ambulatory and drug store. Each sits in the AED 7,500 range a year, with an inspection fee in the AED 2,000 range. In Abu Dhabi DOH adds a pharmacist in charge, who is accountable for the pharmacy and has defined leave rules.
Last verified: October 2026 against the DHA licensing manual (v1.1) and Sheryan fee page and DOH Standard V6. MOHAP pharmaceutical facility licensing is not covered here.
Key Takeaways
- Community or retail pharmacy, hospital pharmacy, ambulatory pharmacy and drug store are separate DHA categories.
- An ambulatory pharmacy serves only the patients of the clinic or day surgery center it sits in.
- A clinic within a pharmacy is a separate category with its own fee in the AED 4,000 range.
- DOH requires a pharmacist in charge, and leave or replacement is handled through TAMM.
- Pharmacy delivery and drive-thru are DHA add-ons.
DHA Pharmacy Categories
| Category | What It Is | 1 Year License (AED) |
|---|---|---|
| Community or retail pharmacy | Standalone retail pharmacy at street level or in a mall | About 7,500 |
| Hospital pharmacy | Procurement, storage, compounding and dispensing inside a hospital | About 7,500 |
| Ambulatory pharmacy | Pharmacy in an outpatient clinic or day surgery center serving its patients only | About 7,500 |
| Drug store | Storage, import or distribution of medicinal products under the law | About 7,500 |
| Compounding pharmacy | Compounding of medicines | About 7,500 |
| Clinic within pharmacy | A GP, family or internal medicine clinic inside a pharmacy | About 4,000 |
Abu Dhabi: DOH
- A pharmacist in charge is a licensed pharmacist delegated to manage and supervise the pharmacy from technical and managerial aspects.
- Annual leave for the pharmacist in charge, extension, ending or replacement of the supervising pharmacist are TAMM services.
- For inpatient pharmacies, the owner name on the pharmacy license must match the hospital it is affiliated with.
- Narcotic and controlled medicine prescribing and dispensing runs through the national platform.
Planning Points
- Layout and storage conditions are approved in the drawings.
- A licensed pharmacist must manage and supervise the pharmacy, and Abu Dhabi requires a named pharmacist in charge.
- Add-ons such as delivery and drive-thru are amendments on an existing active DHA license.
- Registration in Tatmeen and Riayati appears in the MOHAP final license requirements for facilities.
Frequently Asked Questions.
How much does a pharmacy license cost in Dubai?
DHA lists community, hospital, ambulatory and compounding pharmacies and drug stores in the AED 7,500 range a year, plus inspection fees in the AED 2,000 range.
Can I put a clinic inside a pharmacy?
Yes, DHA has a clinic within pharmacy category for basic medical care and referral. It is licensed with its own fee.
Do I need a pharmacist on duty?
Yes. A licensed pharmacist must manage the pharmacy, and Abu Dhabi requires a pharmacist in charge with defined leave and replacement procedures.
Can I deliver medicines?
Pharmacy delivery is an add-on you can add to an active DHA facility license through an amendment.
Where This Comes From.
How OzaniX Partners Can Help.
We prepare the application, coordinate the drawings and approvals, and run the renewal calendar so nothing lapses, then set up empanelment, bookkeeping and cash planning. See licensing and regulatory advisory or book a discovery call.
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