More pharmaceutical labels may be demanded by drugs producers operating in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as spending in the region increases.

According to the Pharma Times, new figures show that the national fund for pharmaceutical spending in the UAE has increased by 150 million dirhams (£11.7 million) in 2010 to 300 million dirhams.

The Ministry of Health is to increase medicine provisions to medical zones, hospitals and health facilities in the country and 117 million dirhams has already been spent on drugs in the past two months.

Reasons for the 100 per cent increase in medical spending includes its embracing of liberal trade policies, the adoption of international healthcare standards and an increase in its population, the publication said.

This comes after Dr Aliasgar Shahiwala, an associate professor at Dubai Pharmacy College, recently announced that he has developed a new formula to deliver drugs in a form similar to chewing gum, the National reported.

Denny Bros Ltd, 12 April 2011