The UAE has amended its Federal Decree-Law on Combating Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, introducing changes to institutional responsibilities, treatment provisions and penalties for violations.
The amendments transfer regulatory authority from the Ministry of Health and Prevention to the Emirates Drug Establishment, which now serves as the authority responsible for medical product regulation in the country.
References to the Ministry of Interior have been replaced with the National Anti-Narcotics Authority, which leads efforts to combat narcotics-related crimes, the Emirates News Agency (WAM) said in a statement.
UAE introduces five-year minimum jail term for unauthorised narcotic prescriptions
Federal health authorities and private health facilities can now establish units for the treatment and rehabilitation of individuals addicted to narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
The UAE Cabinet will issue regulations governing these units. Local authorities may establish similar facilities within their jurisdictions.
Pharmacies that dispense narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances without a valid prescription or in quantities exceeding approved limits face imprisonment for not less than five years and a fine of not less than AED50,000. These violations are treated as offences of facilitating narcotic drug use.
Physicians who issue prescriptions for narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances without a licence, without medical justification or in violation of approved limits face imprisonment for not less than five years and a fine of not less than AED50,000. The act is deemed an offence of facilitation.
Licences for the possession and handling of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances for scientific and medical purposes may be granted to health facilities, chemical testing laboratories, research centres and medical product manufacturing, storage and distribution facilities.
Certain parts of plants listed in the schedules attached to the law remain exempt from criminalisation.
Foreign nationals convicted of drug offences face deportation under updated UAE law
Foreign nationals convicted of narcotics offences must be deported following the completion of their sentences.
The court must order deportation except in two cases: where the person is the spouse or first-degree relative of a UAE citizen at the time of committing the offence, or where the person is a member of a family residing in the UAE and the court determines that deportation would cause harm to family stability or deprive a family member of care, provided the family has financial ability to support treatment.
The amendments form part of efforts to strengthen community protection, uphold justice, safeguard rights and enhance the framework for combating narcotics in line with regulatory, health and security standards.
