“At GulfDrug, our mission is clear: to deliver reliable quality and value that improves healthcare outcomes and services for our customers, partners, and stakeholders. We remain vigilant about new developments and technologies, always striving to stay one step ahead.”

-Rashad Al Moosa
Joint Managing Director, Partner, and Member of the Board, GulfDrug.

The UAE’s healthcare sector boasts a prominent player – Gulf Drug. For over five decades, Gulf Drug has been a silent force shaping the healthcare landscape of the UAE. Founded as a modest pharmaceutical distributor in the region’s early years, the company has undergone a remarkable transformation. Today, Gulf Drug is a comprehensive healthcare provider, offering a diverse portfolio of solutions that encompass pharmaceuticals, medical equipment and supplies, instruments, and even veterinary products. This evolution reflects a deep-seated commitment: ensuring patients and healthcare professionals in the UAE have access to the most advanced and reliable medical advancements available.

To gain deeper insights into this fascinating journey, Mediworld Middle East secured an exclusive interview with Rashad Al Moosa, Joint Managing Director, Partner, and Member of the Board at Gulf Drug. The interview will cover the company’s core values, its steadfast commitment to quality, and its outlook for reshaping healthcare in the United Arab Emirates.
GulfDrug’s most significant contributions lie in its dedication to delivering high-quality products and services, adopting innovation, and facilitating access to cutting-edge global technologies, for the benefit of the people of the UAE.

“At GulfDrug, our mission is clear: to deliver reliable quality and value that improves healthcare outcomes and services for our customers, partners, and stakeholders,” Al Moosa asserts. GulfDrug’s relentless pursuit of excellence and innovation propelled the company to the forefront of the industry.

Innovation at the Forefront:
Innovation lies at the heart of GulfDrug’s strategy, as Al Moosa explains, “We remain vigilant about new developments and technologies, always striving to stay one step ahead.” This commitment to innovation was evident at Arab Health 2024, where GulfDrug showcased a myriad of cutting-edge products and solutions aimed at revolutionizing patient care.

He underscores, “GulfDrug was indeed delighted to showcase a variety of innovative products, technologies, and solutions at Arab Health 2024. We showcased our total vaccine, cold chain solutions, infusion therapy products, cutting-edge medical devices, state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment, vital medical imaging and oncology machines such as the Proteus One and Proteus Plus, Robotic Surgery Systems as well as Digital Health Solutions. We have also introduced Pharmacy Automation with robot dispensing systems and fully automated carousels.”

GulfDrug continually leverages cutting-edge solutions to tackle current healthcare issues facing the UAE. “We are committed to driving positive outcomes for patients and healthcare providers alike,” Al Moosa affirms. GulfDrug aims to enhance patient care, improve operational efficiency, and drive better outcomes across the healthcare sector.

One notable innovation is the introduction of robotic surgery equipment, which has provided GulfDrug’s hospital clients with a distinct advantage over their competitors. By embracing robotic technology, GulfDrug has empowered healthcare providers to perform surgeries with unparalleled precision and efficiency, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes.

Pharmacy automation has also been a game-changer in GulfDrug’s product offerings, revolutionizing service delivery in public and private hospital pharmacies. GulfDrug’s innovative automation systems have streamlined medication dispensing processes, minimizing errors, and maximizing efficiency. This milestone has elevated the standard of pharmacy services, enhancing patient safety and satisfaction.

Last year, GulfDrug further demonstrated its commitment to innovation with the launch of its state-of-the-art cooled supply chain facility in the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi (ICAD). This cutting-edge facility, certified by Dickson and accredited by DAC, represents a significant advancement in healthcare logistics. Equipped with the best systems, procedures, and controls, GulfDrug’s smart facility ensures the safekeeping and efficient delivery of medical supplies.

“Our cooled supply chain facility sets new standards for storage and distribution in the healthcare industry,” he emphasizes. “We are committed to leveraging technology to optimize logistics and ensure the timely delivery of essential medical supplies.”

The smart delivery fleet associated with GulfDrug’s cooled supply chain facility is fully insulated and temperature-controlled, guaranteeing the integrity of medical supplies during transportation. Additionally, GulfDrug’s warehouses are ISO-certified and manned by highly qualified, efficient teams, further ensuring the safekeeping of medical products. By embracing innovation, GulfDrug remains at the forefront of delivering transformative healthcare solutions that make a tangible difference in people’s lives.

Comprehensive Healthcare Solutions:
GulfDrug’s commitment to addressing current healthcare challenges extends to its comprehensive offerings of disposables and instruments for medical specialties and laboratories. With a focus on cardiovascular, surgical, emergency obstetrics, orthopedics, and radiology departments, GulfDrug provides high-quality and effective therapy and services. These offerings not only enhance patient care but also improve operational efficiency, ultimately driving better outcomes across the healthcare sector.

GulfDrug’s dedication to healthcare extends beyond human patients to include the well-being of animals. Through its Veterinary Health Supplies, GulfDrug covers a wide range of veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines, feed additives, disinfectants, and medical disposables and devices. By ensuring access to these essential supplies, GulfDrug contributes to the overall health and welfare of animals in the UAE.

Driving Positive Change Through Collaboration:
GulfDrug places a strong emphasis on seamless collaboration with both government and private healthcare entities to deliver top-notch services to its customers. GulfDrug has cultivated strategic partnerships in government and the private healthcare sector to ensure timely access to essential healthcare products and services.

“Our Regulatory department plays a crucial role in ensuring that we consistently adhere to the country’s laws,” Al Moosa recalls. This commitment to regulatory compliance instills confidence in GulfDrug’s suppliers, customers, and authorities alike, reinforcing the company’s reputation as a trusted healthcare provider.

Moreover, GulfDrug continually enhances the customer experience, prioritizing efficiency, and personalized support. By streamlining ordering processes, optimizing logistics management, and providing tailored customer support services, GulfDrug aims to exceed customer expectations at every turn.

“We are dedicated to providing ongoing support and training to healthcare professionals,” he says. GulfDrug’s commitment to empowering the workforce reflects its mission statement, which encapsulates its dedication to creating reliable quality and value for customers, partners, and stakeholders. Through this mission-driven approach, GulfDrug strives to improve healthcare outcomes and services, driving positive change across the healthcare sector in the UAE.

Pioneering Medical Equipment and Technology:
GulfDrug stands as a game changer in the medical equipment industry, harnessing its extensive experience and expertise to deliver cutting-edge technologies to healthcare providers throughout the UAE. “At GulfDrug, we pride ourselves on offering a comprehensive portfolio of medical equipment sourced from leading manufacturers worldwide,” asserts Al Moosa, “Our strategic partnerships and unwavering dedication to excellence enable us to set new standards in the medical equipment business.”

GulfDrug’s portfolio encompasses a wide range of medical equipment, from diagnostic imaging systems to surgical instruments and patient monitoring devices. Partnering with industry giants such as Fujifilm, GulfDrug delivers state-of-the-art Point-of-Care (POC) Ultrasound technology, empowering healthcare providers with advanced diagnostic capabilities.

“Our collaboration with Olympus Medical Systems EMEA brings cutting-edge endoscopy solutions enhanced with artificial intelligence,” Al Moosa elaborates. “These innovations enable more precise diagnostics and treatment interventions, ultimately improving patient outcomes.”

In the realm of nephrology, GulfDrug’s partnership with Fresenius Medical Care delivers pioneering solutions that revolutionize renal care. “Fresenius Medical Care’s cutting-edge technologies enable us to provide comprehensive solutions for patients with renal diseases, ensuring optimal care and management,” he explains.

Furthermore, GulfDrug partners with Drager, specialists in critical care, to offer advanced equipment and solutions that enhance patient safety and well-being in critical care settings. “Drager’s expertise in critical care complements GulfDrug’s commitment to providing superior healthcare solutions,” he underscores. In radiology departments, GulfDrug collaborates with Canon to deliver advanced imaging equipment that enables precise diagnostics and treatment planning.

Sustainability and Environmental Responsibility:
Recognizing the urgency of addressing climate change, GulfDrug places a high value on sustainability and environmental responsibility in its operations. As Al Moosa emphasizes, “We are dedicated to incorporating environmentally friendly practices throughout our operations, ensuring that we play our part in protecting the well-being of our planet.”

One notable initiative undertaken by GulfDrug is its recently commissioned solar energy project, which demonstrates its commitment to harnessing renewable energy sources. Solar panels have been installed on the roofs of GulfDrug’s warehouses in Umm Ramool and Al Quoz, effectively reducing the company’s reliance on non-renewable energy sources. These solar panels now provide 70% of the warehouses’ energy requirements, significantly reducing carbon emissions and making GulfDrug’s operations more environmentally sustainable.

In addition to its solar energy initiative, GulfDrug employs various other environmentally friendly practices to minimize its environmental footprint. One such practice is the use of recyclable packaging materials, which helps reduce waste and minimize the company’s environmental impact. By opting for recyclable packaging materials, GulfDrug strives to minimize its contribution to landfill waste and promote a circular economy.

GulfDrug is committed to optimizing its delivery processes to minimize its environmental impact. By planning deliveries optimally, GulfDrug reduces the carbon emissions associated with transportation, contributing to cleaner air and a healthier environment.

“GulfDrug’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond our operations to our supply chain and delivery processes,” he emphasizes. “We are continuously exploring ways to minimize our environmental footprint and promote sustainable practices throughout our business.”

GulfDrug’s commitment to sustainability is mirrored in its Laboratory Unit, which provides state-of-the-art laboratory solutions to governmental and non-governmental laboratories across the UAE. Sourcing equipment, reagents, consumables, and accessories from leading international suppliers, GulfDrug offers a comprehensive range of solutions tailored to various laboratory settings.

“Our partnerships with esteemed suppliers such as Cook, Haemonetics, KLS Martin, Abbott Vascular Mitsubishi Chemical Europe GmbH, and Apex Medical Corporation enable us to deliver cutting-edge laboratory solutions,” Al Moosa explains. “We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of quality and accuracy in diagnostics, ensuring the delivery of superior healthcare services.”

GulfDrug remains proactive in staying ahead of market trends and fostering strategic partnerships to drive continuous improvement in healthcare standards. “We are constantly vigilant about new developments and technology, keeping a pulse on the evolving needs of our clients,” he notes. “Our strong relationships with global medical supplies ensure that we can offer the best products at competitive prices, positioning us as leaders in the industry.”

By remaining customer-centric, agile, and innovative, GulfDrug is poised to lead and shape the future of healthcare in the UAE and beyond. “We are committed to driving positive change and making a lasting impact on the healthcare landscape,” Al moosa concludes. “Through our dedication to sustainability, innovation, and excellence, GulfDrug is paving the way towards a healthier, more sustainable future.”