Jordan's exports of medicines since January till August of this year declined by 11.4% to JD213.3m from JD240.8m for the same period last year, according to a report by the Central Bank of Jordan. Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Sudan and Lebanon accounted for 60.5% of Jordan's total exports of pharmaceutical products during the first eight months of 2009.
Omar al Shunnar, chief executive of Emaar Healthcare, a subsidiary of Emaar Properties, has said that in addition to planning a hospital in Dubai, the firm is considering opening medical centres in Egypt and Syria as it looks to expand abroad, The National has reported. 'Currently, it's these three markets we're keeping our eye on. We're studying whether it's feasible, whether it's the right time and what exactly we will do there,' he said.
United Arab Emirates:
Sunday, November 08 - 2009 at 11:43
Saudi Arabia's health ministry has said that UK-based GlaxoSmithKline is the kingdom's sole supplier of an H1N1 flu vaccine, but other firms may later be included for the supply of a nationwide inoculation campaign, Reuters has reported. 'We will in the future get vaccines from other clients, from other companies, as soon as they get approved by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority,' health ministry spokesman Khaled Mirghalani told the news service.
Al-Ahli Hospital (AAH) in Qatar has inked medical services agreement with Al-Koot Insurance and Reinsurance Company and their partner AXA Insurance-Gulf, Gulf Times has reported. All Al-Koot/AXA medical insurance scheme members will be able to benefit both primary and secondary medical services directly at AAH effective November 15.
The Jordan Drug and Food Administration (JFDA) has announced the registration of the country's first generic version of the Tamiflu antiviral drug, state news agency Petra has reported. The new product 'Flufir' was given priority registration to supply the local market, JFDA said.
Saudi Arabia's health ministry has said that parents must give their written consent before swine flu vaccinations are given to their children in schools, Arab News has reported. The ministry will send the specimen consent form to the Ministry of Education to be distributed to some 30,000 schools throughout the kingdom.
Saudi Arabia:
Wednesday, November 04 - 2009 at 12:00
Synlab GmbH, one of Germany's largest private clinical laboratory service providers, has acquired Saudi-owned United Medical Lab Riyadh to create the largest private laboratory in the kingdom, Arab News has reported. This would be the first private laboratory created under new Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA) rules. Synlab plans to develop its activities in the kingdom and neighbouring Arab countries, Synlab said.
Saudi Arabia:
Wednesday, November 04 - 2009 at 11:57
The head of the GCC's Council of Health Ministers has called for greater investment in healthcare and demanded that governments put more emphasis into tackling the challenges faced by the sector. Speaking at the MEED Healthcare Conference today in Dubai, Dr Tawfik Khoja, Direcotr General, Executive Board at the Council of Health Ministers for Cooperation Council States, told delegates that there was a need for better IT systems, for the sector to be more consumer driven and for better quality of care and patient safety.
The City Hospital in Dubai Healthcare City said it has received accreditation from the College of American Pathologists after meeting the organization's standards in pathology and laboratory services. The body's Laboratory Accreditation Program is recognized by the US federal government as being equal to- or more stringent than- the government's own inspection programme, the hospital said in a statement.
United Arab Emirates:
Monday, November 02 - 2009 at 11:27
Egypt received on Sunday the first batch of 80,000 doses of A/H1N1 vaccine from the UK, and another 70,000 doses are due to arrive today. Egyptian Health Minister Hatem el-Gabali had previously announced that the country is to import 5.5 million doses of the vaccine which will be transported to Egypt from this month on. On Saturday, Egyptian Ministry of Health reported the fifth A/H1N1 flu death case.
Researchers at King Saud University (KSU) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia have developed antigens that can prevent the spread of cancerous cells by boosting a patient's immune system, Arab News has reported. The research was conducted in collaboration with the State University of New York and financed by Sheikh Muhammad Hussein Al-Amoudi.
Kuwait's health ministry is to launch an H1N1 vaccination campaign today, making the vaccine available to those most at risk to the virus, in line with World Health Organization recommendations, Kuwait Times has reported. Last month is received 145,000 doses of the vaccine, and these will be distributed to public clinics and hospitals. Kuwait expects to get a second batch of 600,000 doses of the vaccine in late December, and a total of two million doses by February, the ministry said.
National Health Insurance Company (Daman)and Munich Re has inked a new agreement, extending their partnership to 2019. Daman is 80% owned by the government of Abu Dhabi and Munich Re holds 20%, which started operations in 2006. Daman has said the partnership has resulted into an 80% share in Abu Dhabi's health insurance market.
United Arab Emirates:
Saturday, October 31 - 2009 at 12:03
The Jordan Food and Drug Administration (JFDA) has said that Syria has agreed to register Jordan-manufactured medicines even if alternatives are available, the Jordan Times has reported. Jordan-based pharmaceutical companies export medicines to 65 countries around the world, but have 'weak sales' in the Syrian market, JFDA noted.
Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar has said it has begun to outfit six new laboratories to investigate causes and treatments for diseases prevalent in the region, the Peninsula has reported. The college had received funding of more than $19m for this purpose from Qatar Foundation's National Priorities Research Programme. The research will focus on diseases and disorders including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, neurogenetic abnormalities, and respiratory disorders.