How to Open a Pharmacy in Dubai: DHA Licence, Space and Staffing Requirements

Which pharmacy licence you need

DHA's Pharmacy Guidelines (2021) set out four types:

The guidelines cover mainland and free zone pharmacies across Dubai but exclude Dubai Healthcare City, which had its own pharmacy standards. The 2024 Dubai health laws brought DHCC closer to DHA, so read DHCC or mainland Dubai if you are weighing a DHCC location.

At federal level, pharmacies now fall under Federal Decree-Law No. 38 of 2024 on medical products, the pharmacy profession and pharmaceutical establishments. It came into force on 2 January 2025 and replaced Federal Law No. 8 of 2019, according to Baker McKenzie's summary. The DHA guidelines still cite the 2019 law, and existing regulations stay in force where they do not conflict.

Step by step

1. Reserve a trade name and choose the legal form with Dubai Economy and Tourism (DET) or a free zone. Ownership is decided here, not by DHA. Check with DET whether your shareholder structure is allowed for a pharmacy activity before you pay a deposit. See can a non-doctor own a clinic for how ownership works for health facilities.
2. Find a site that meets the location rule: ground floor, or a higher floor only inside a mall or commercial centre. It must also meet Dubai Municipality or free zone building standards.
3. Apply on Sheryan. The guidelines list the documents:
   • the Dubai Municipality land registration certificate showing the plot number
   • AutoCAD drawings with each area measured and labelled
   • a proposal letter or business plan describing the pharmacy's functions
   • the trade name reservation
   • passport copies of owners and partners, with residence visas for non-locals
4. Receive the inactive licence. It is valid for one year, until final approval, and lets you complete the trade licence.
5. Fit out and stock to the design rules below.
6. Appoint the pharmacist in charge. They must hold a DHA licence or a valid DHA eligibility letter (pharmacist licensing and jobs, DHA exam, DataFlow).
7. Request final inspection. DHA's drug control section inspects on site or virtually. It issues a report within five working days. If you pass, the licence is activated, showing the pharmacy name, address, trade licence number, validity and pharmacist in charge. If you fail, you fix the issues and request a new inspection.

Premises and storage requirements

• Minimum ceiling height of 2.70 m.
• A counselling area is recommended.
• Signage that matches the name on your DHA and trade licences, plus a board showing opening hours and shifts.
• Access for people of determination, and a strict no-smoking policy.
• Storage: humidity at or below 60%, storage areas at 8 to 25 °C, room-temperature medicines at 15 to 25 °C, and vaccines in a separate fridge at 2 to 8 °C.
• Digital thermometers, temperature and humidity logs at least twice a day, and backup power for the medicine fridge.
• A lockable steel cabinet for controlled drugs and separate areas for prescription-only, expired and recalled stock.
• References such as the BNF or Martindale, in print or electronic form.

These points come from DHA's guidelines and its January 2024 final inspection checklist for outpatient pharmacies, which is what the inspector brings. Walk your site through it before you book inspection.

Staffing rules

• All pharmacists and pharmacy technicians need DHA licences. Trainees need a DHA training permit.
• Technicians may dispense only under a pharmacist's direct supervision, and never narcotics, controlled or semi-controlled drugs. The same limit applies to trainees.
• If you take trainees, at least one licensed pharmacist must be on every shift to supervise them.
• A 24-hour pharmacy needs at least four DHA-licensed pharmacists (one full time, the others may be part time) and clear 24-hour signage.

Add-ons that change your business model

• Delivery: delivering over-the-counter medicines and general products needs the "Pharmacy Delivery" add-on. Delivering prescription-only medicines needs telepharmacy approval. Narcotics, controlled and semi-controlled drugs may not be delivered at all.
• Walk-in clinic: a pharmacy can include a clinic, but it needs its own outpatient facility licence. The one-room option needs at least 18 m², and the clinic can offer GP, family medicine or internal medicine.
• Changes after opening: a new owner, pharmacist in charge, name, location, extension, 24-hour service or delivery all need DHA approval first.

Watch the use-it-or-lose-it rules. Under the guidelines, a pharmacy licence becomes void if the pharmacy does not start operating within six consecutive months of the licence being issued. It also becomes void if the pharmacy closes for more than three consecutive months without permission.

What it costs

DHA's services guide (updated March 2023) lists these Category 3 fees:

The guide groups professional licence fees as "physician/dentist" (AED 3,000 a year full time) and "nurse/allied/TCAM" (AED 1,000). It does not list pharmacists separately, so check the fee for your pharmacists in Sheryan.

The rest varies. Rent depends on location and footfall, and malls charge more. Opening stock depends on your range and supplier credit terms. Fit-out depends on shelving, cold chain and security. Then there is payroll, which doubles quickly if you open 24 hours, plus your pharmacy software and insurance network contracts.

Marketing before you open

Create your Google Business Profile with a future opening date so it appears 90 days before launch, with accurate hours. "Pharmacy near me" and "24 hour pharmacy" searches are decided on Maps. Build a landing page for delivery, opening hours and insurance accepted, and plan pre-opening Google Ads around those. Google's healthcare policy restricts prescription drug terms in ads, keywords and landing pages, so keep campaigns on services and over-the-counter categories. Any ad naming your pharmacy must follow DHA's medical advertisement standard and carry the MOHAP advertising licence where required. Get a free launch plan or see our healthcare marketing service.

Frequently asked questions

What is the minimum size for a pharmacy in Dubai?

30 m² for a community or retail pharmacy, 25 m² for an ambulatory pharmacy in a clinic, and 30 m² for a hospital pharmacy, with a minimum ceiling height of 2.70 m.

Can a pharmacy in Dubai be on the first floor?

Only inside a mall or commercial centre. Otherwise DHA requires a community pharmacy to be on the ground floor.

How much is a pharmacy licence in Dubai?

DHA's services guide lists AED 1,000 to apply, AED 2,000 for final approval and AED 7,500 a year for the pharmacy licence. Trade licence, rent, stock and staff are extra and vary.

Do I need to be a pharmacist to own a pharmacy in Dubai?

DHA's guidelines require a DHA-licensed pharmacist in charge and do not set qualifications for the owner. Ownership rules come from federal law and DET or the free zone, so confirm your shareholder structure with them before you invest.

Can my pharmacy deliver medicines?

Yes, with approval. Over-the-counter delivery needs DHA's Pharmacy Delivery add-on and prescription delivery needs telepharmacy approval. Narcotic, controlled and semi-controlled drugs cannot be delivered.

How many pharmacists does a 24-hour pharmacy need?

At least four DHA-licensed pharmacists, one full time and the rest full or part time.

Sources

• DHA Pharmacy Guidelines, version 1 (2021)
• DHA Final Inspection Checklist: Outpatient Pharmacies (2024)
• DHA Health Regulation Sector services guide (fees, updated 21 March 2023)
• DHA Facility Services Fees (2025)
• DHA Sheryan: Frequently asked questions
• Baker McKenzie: UAE enacts new pharma law (Federal Decree-Law No. 38 of 2024)
• Google Ads policy: Healthcare and medicines
• DHA Standards for Medical Advertisement Content on Social Media
• Google Business Profile Help: Add an opening date

Published 18 Oct 2026 · Access One