Getting a prescription in the UAE, and the medicines
First the prescription: who may prescribe in each emirate, what insurance pays, and the rules for online doctors. Then the medicines: what's approved, fakes, storage in the heat and the official fixed prices.
GLP-1 medicines are prescription-only in the UAE, and a pharmacy must see a prescription from a UAE-licensed doctor. In Abu Dhabi, a doctor certified in obesity management decides when to start one for weight, and an online doctor must see you on live video or audio first. Prices are fixed nationally: a Mounjaro pen costs AED 1,734 at every dose. Most insurance doesn't pay for weight loss. Talk to a doctor before starting, stopping or changing any medicine.
Key facts
- Abu Dhabi
- A doctor certified in obesity management starts them for weight; BMI 30 or more with a weight-related condition, or over 403
- Online
- Allowed from licensed doctors and facilities. In Abu Dhabi, a live audio or video call must come before any prescription4,5
- Insurance
- Dubai's basic plan excludes weight-loss medicines. In Abu Dhabi, obesity medicines are covered only in the Thiqa programme for nationals6,7
On this page
- Who can prescribe a GLP-1 in the UAE?
- How do the rules differ between the emirates?
- Will insurance pay for it?
- Can I see a doctor online and get it delivered?
- What should a proper consultation include?
- What are the red flags?
- Questions to ask a provider
- Which GLP-1 medicines are approved, and for what?
- Brand or generic: what's the difference?
- Pen or tablet?
- How do I spot a fake, and store it right in the heat?
- What are the official prices?
- What does a year cost?
- Questions people ask
The order this guide follows. The doctor comes first; the medicine comes second.
Who can prescribe a GLP-1 in the UAE?
A doctor licensed in the UAE. Which authority licenses them depends on the emirate, and Abu Dhabi adds its own rules for weight.
Abu Dhabi's Department of Health calls GLP-1 medicines "prescription-only medicines" that should only be used under medical supervision.1 Pharmacies state that they dispense them only against a valid prescription from a registered doctor.2
The UAE has more than one health regulator:
- Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE): the federal medicines regulator. It approves medicines and their advertising, and monitors their safety.11,12
- Dubai Health Authority (DHA): licenses doctors, clinics and pharmacies in Dubai.4
- Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH): licenses them in Abu Dhabi.5
- Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP): the federal ministry, which also covers the Northern Emirates.13
How do the rules differ between the emirates?
Abu Dhabi has the most detailed rules. Dubai's guideline sets lower BMI lines. For the Northern Emirates we found no GLP-1-specific rule.
| Emirate | What we found |
|---|---|
| Abu Dhabi (DoH) | A 2025 standard: medicines for weight from a BMI of 30 with at least one weight-related condition, or over 40. The decision to start rests with a doctor certified in obesity management, with training approved by DoH. Carry on beyond 6 months only if you've lost at least 5% of your starting weight.3 |
| Dubai (DHA) | A 2024 guideline: medicine at a BMI over 30, or 27 to 29.9 with a weight-related condition, after a lifestyle programme hasn't brought at least 5% loss in 3 to 6 months. We found no DHA rule that limits these medicines to specialists.4 |
| Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah (MOHAP) | The federal rules apply: prescription-only, from a licensed doctor. The Ministry published national weight-management guidelines in June 2025, but we couldn't open the text to check their thresholds.14 |
For type 2 diabetes, these medicines are usually prescribed by your diabetes doctor. If Daman, Abu Dhabi's national insurer, is paying, the prescriber must be in internal medicine, endocrinology, family medicine or cardiology.7 Guide 4 sets out the BMI lines in more detail.
Will insurance pay for it?
For weight loss, usually not. For type 2 diabetes, sometimes, under strict conditions. Check your own policy in writing.
| Plan | What we found |
|---|---|
| Dubai basic plan (Essential Benefits Plan) | Excludes "pharmacological weight reduction regimens" and any treatment for obesity. Medicines for other conditions are capped at AED 2,500 a year, with 30% co-insurance on each prescription, so even a diabetes prescription would use up the cap within about 2 months of Mounjaro.6,2 |
| Daman (Abu Dhabi), for diabetes | Needs prior approval, type 2 diabetes with heart disease or several heart risk factors, an HbA1c (average blood sugar) of 6.5% or more, and at least 6 months on metformin or other diabetes medicines without good enough control. First supply is one month; continued at 12 months only with at least a 1-point fall in HbA1c or other improvement.7 |
| Thiqa obesity programme (Abu Dhabi, UAE nationals) | Adults 18 and over: a BMI of 30 to 34.9 with one listed condition, 35 to 39.9 with one from a wider list, or 40 and over. You must keep more than 5% weight loss and meet an activity target tracked by a wearable: 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week, 75 of vigorous, or 10,000 steps a day. A 1-month trial comes first, then a review at 4 months.15 |
| Abu Dhabi weight programme for Foundayo | In April 2026, the Department of Health said Foundayo is covered for adults eligible for its Personalised Weight Management Programme.16 |
| Enhanced private plans | They vary. Daman says obesity medicines aren't covered outside the Thiqa programme.7 We found no published rule for the Northern Emirates. |
A Gulf News report in February 2026 summed it up: these medicines "remain largely out-of-pocket expenses".8
Can I see a doctor online and get it delivered?
Yes, from licensed doctors and pharmacies, within each emirate's rules. Abu Dhabi requires a live audio or video call before any prescription.
- Dubai: the DHA's obesity guideline is written for DHA-licensed doctors and facilities giving care by telehealth. It excludes emergencies and controlled medicines; GLP-1 medicines are not controlled.4
- Abu Dhabi: the prescriber must work for a DoH-licensed facility and "must have real-time audio/video communication with the patient before issuing the prescription". A questionnaire alone is not enough. The prescription goes into your medical record, and if the doctor is unsure, they must see you in person first.5
- Delivery: licensed pharmacies deliver these medicines against a prescription you upload, usually chilled.2
Online care has grown fast: one 2025 report counted over 1,600 sign-ups through virtual healthcare platforms in a few months.17 Not every seller follows the rules. In a 2026 study, a researcher posing as a patient asked 153 pharmacies in Dubai and the Northern Emirates for Ozempic for weight loss; only 27 in 100 asked for a prescription.18
What should a proper consultation include?
Questions about your health and medicines, your weight checked, a lifestyle plan, and a plan for follow-up.
There's no single official checklist for a GLP-1 consultation. This list brings together what the Dubai and Abu Dhabi guidance and the medicines' labels say a doctor should check.4,3,19
- Your history. The US label rules these medicines out if you or your family have had medullary thyroid cancer, or you have MEN 2 (multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2, a rare inherited condition). Tell your doctor if this applies.19 Past pancreatitis or gallstones matter too.19
- Your other medicines. Insulin, or diabetes tablets like glimepiride or gliclazide, can cause low sugar (hypos) when combined with a GLP-1.19 The dose of those may need to drop.
- Your weight and waist, measured. Abu Dhabi's standard also asks for your waist-to-height ratio.3 If your family is of Asian origin, your risk starts at a lower BMI. Guide 1 explains the numbers.
- A lifestyle plan. Both guidelines put food and activity changes first, with medicine added on top.4,3
- Eyes, if you have diabetes. The label warns about worse eye disease (retinopathy) in people who already have it.19
- Pregnancy and contraception. Stop semaglutide at least 2 months before a planned pregnancy.20 On Mounjaro, add a condom to the pill for 4 weeks after starting and after each dose increase.21
- Ramadan. If you fast, plan your doses with the doctor before Ramadan starts.22 Guide 8 covers fasting.
- A follow-up plan. Who you contact with side effects, and a review at 6 months: in Abu Dhabi, carry on only if you've lost at least 5%.3
What are the red flags with a pharmacy, clinic or app?
Walk away if nobody asks for a prescription, if nobody sees you before prescribing, or if the medicine comes from social media.
-
"No prescription needed"These are prescription-only medicines. Abu Dhabi's Department of Health tells the public not to buy them without a prescription.9Asks for a valid prescription from a UAE-licensed doctor before dispensing.2
-
Just a questionnaireIn Abu Dhabi, an online doctor must talk to you by live audio or video before prescribing.5A live consultation, and an in-person visit when the doctor is unsure.5
-
Supplied only by a licensed pharmacy, against your prescription.2
-
A vial, a "peptide" or retatrutideThe regulator acted against 71 sources selling unapproved peptides in July 2026. Retatrutide "remains under clinical investigation" and is not approved.10An approved pen or tablet in its sealed pack.
-
Discounts on the medicine itselfMedicine prices are fixed nationally, so a much cheaper pen is a warning sign.2Shows the medicine price and any consultation or programme fees separately.
-
Ads for "weight-loss jabs"Medical products may not be advertised without the regulator's approval.12Offers a consultation first; the medicine is discussed only after it.
Questions to ask a provider
Take these to the consultation. A good doctor will be glad you asked.
- Which authority licenses you and this facility (DHA, DoH or MOHAP), and what is the licence number?
- In Abu Dhabi: are you certified in obesity management?
- Do I meet the rules for this medicine in this emirate, and why?
- Will my insurance pay any of it, and do I need prior approval?
- What else should I try first or alongside it?
- Which side effects should make me contact you, and how do I reach you?
- How will my dose go up, and who decides each step?
- Does it affect my other medicines, my contraception or a pregnancy plan?
- How should I take it if I fast in Ramadan?
- What will it cost per month at the full dose, including any programme fees, and what happens when I stop?
Before you go further
- Prescription only. Never start one without a doctor.1
- Know the risks first. Guide 5: Side effects and risks.
- No promise of results. Weight loss varies a lot from person to person, and some people lose little.
We list brands and official prices as facts. We don't recommend any brand, company or seller, and we earn nothing from them.
Which GLP-1 medicines are approved in the UAE, and for what?
Five medicines. Semaglutide, tirzepatide, orforglipron and liraglutide have brands for weight; Ozempic, Rybelsus, Victoza and Trulicity are for type 2 diabetes.
The medicine is what works in your body; the brand is the name on the box. Paracetamol is a medicine; Panadol and Tylenol are brands of it. One medicine can have several brands, each approved for different uses.7
The UAE often gets new medicines early. It was the second country after the US to approve Mounjaro (2022) and Foundayo (April 2026), and the first outside the US to launch the Wegovy pill (June 2026).24,25,26
Diabetes approved for type 2 diabetes Weight approved for weight management
- Wegovy injectionWeight27Weekly FlexTouch pen, 0.25 to 2.4 mg; Novo NordiskThe 7.2 mg dose approved in Europe was not approved in the UAE as of March 2026.28
- Wegovy pillWeight11Daily tablet, 1.5 to 25 mg; approved June 2026Also approved to lower heart risk in adults with heart disease and obesity or overweight.11
- OzempicDiabetes7Weekly penNot approved for weight loss. Using a medicine outside its approved use is called "off-label".
- RybelsusDiabetes7Daily tablet, 3, 7 and 14 mg
- Weekly KwikPen, 2.5 to 15 mg; Eli LillyZepbound, its US weight brand, isn't sold in the UAE; Mounjaro covers both uses here.27
- TrulicityDiabetes7Weekly pen
Medicine pages: Semaglutide Tirzepatide Liraglutide Dulaglutide
Brand or generic: what's the difference?
A generic is the same medicine made by another company once the patent ends. We found no generic semaglutide or tirzepatide approved in the UAE.29
A UAE company has said it is preparing generic GLP-1 medicines "once regulatory approvals are secured".29 Anything sold in the UAE as a "generic" or "compounded" semaglutide or tirzepatide is not an approved product.10
Liraglutide is the only one with a second brand name for each use on Daman's list: Fitura alongside Saxenda for weight, and LIRADIAB alongside Victoza for diabetes.7 Switching between brands is a doctor's decision.
Pen or tablet: does it matter?
Approved GLP-1 injections come in pre-filled pens that measure the dose for you. Tablets need a routine, which differs by brand.
PenPre-filled, dose setA Mounjaro KwikPen or a Wegovy FlexTouch pen holds 4 weekly doses, about a month.2,30 Never share a pen, even with a new needle.19
TabletDaily, with brand-specific rulesRybelsus, and the Wegovy pill made from the same medicine, are taken on an empty stomach with a little water, then a wait before eating; for Rybelsus, at least 30 minutes.31 Follow your own leaflet. Foundayo: any time of day, with no food or water rules.25 In Ramadan, the timing around Suhoor matters. Guide 8 explains.How do I spot a fake, and store it right in the heat?
Fake pens have been found in the UAE, sold through social media. Only use a pack from a licensed pharmacy, against your prescription.13,9
In October 2024, the Ministry of Health and Prevention warned of a fake Mounjaro 15 mg single-dose pen pack, labelled in English and Arabic. Its lab could not find tirzepatide in it.13 In February 2025, Abu Dhabi's Department of Health warned of fake Ozempic and Mounjaro sold through an Instagram account and a website.9 In March 2026, it relayed a warning that fake GLP-1 products, not registered with the Emirates Drug Establishment, are sold online and on social media.1
Check the pack before you leave the counter, or when the delivery arrives
Something wrong? Don't use it. Keep the pen and packaging, tell the pharmacy and your doctor, and report it. Guide 5 explains how.
Keep it cold
Indoor rooms without air conditioning can also pass 30°C in summer. Use a cool bag for the journey home and on trips. Tablets need no fridge; keep them in their pack. The limits above are from the EU labels; check your own pack leaflet.
What are the official prices?
Medicine prices in the UAE are fixed nationally, so the same pack costs the same at every pharmacy. A Mounjaro pen is AED 1,734 at every strength.2,8,35
The price is set when a medicine is registered, with fixed margins for distributors and pharmacies.35 The prices below are the official prices to the public on Abu Dhabi's drug list, in force from 2 October 2026.2 Clinics and programmes may add their own consultation or coaching fees on top. We don't show sellers' fees.2
Mounjaro (tirzepatide), weekly KwikPen
| Strength | Per pen (4 weekly doses) |
|---|---|
| 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5 and 15 mg | AED 1,734 |
Wegovy (semaglutide), weekly FlexTouch pen
| Strength | Per pen (4 weekly doses) |
|---|---|
| 0.25 and 0.5 mg | AED 743.50 |
| 1 mg | AED 1,145.50 |
| 1.7 mg | AED 1,440 |
| 2.4 mg | AED 1,712 |
Daily tablets for weight
| Medicine and strength | Per 30 tablets |
|---|---|
| Wegovy pill 1.5 and 4 mg | AED 779 |
| Wegovy pill 9 mg | AED 1,199 |
| Wegovy pill 25 mg | AED 1,610 |
| Foundayo 0.8 and 2.5 mg | AED 773 |
| Foundayo 5.5 mg | AED 1,115 |
| Foundayo 9 mg | AED 1,412 |
| Foundayo 14.5 and 17.2 mg | AED 1,599 |
Saxenda (liraglutide), daily pen for weight
| Pack | Per pack |
|---|---|
| 5 pens of 3 ml, any dose | AED 1,198.50 |
Diabetes medicines
| Medicine and strength | Per pack |
|---|---|
| Ozempic 0.25 and 0.5 mg pen | AED 743.50 |
| Ozempic 1 mg pen | AED 1,146 |
| Ozempic 2 mg pen | AED 1,550 |
| Rybelsus 3, 7 and 14 mg (30 tablets) | AED 641 |
| Victoza (liraglutide), 2 daily pens | AED 493.50 |
| Trulicity (dulaglutide) 0.75 and 1.5 mg, 4 weekly pens | AED 861 |
| Trulicity 3 and 4.5 mg, 4 weekly pens | AED 957 |
Official prices to the public on Abu Dhabi's drug list, in force from 2 Oct 2026. The Wegovy pill's starting price matches news reports.2,36
- Each Mounjaro, Wegovy, Ozempic or Trulicity pack holds 4 weekly doses, about a month; each tablet pack is 30 days. How long a Saxenda or Victoza pack lasts depends on the daily dose.2
- Mounjaro costs the same at every strength, as does Rybelsus. Wegovy and Ozempic pens cost more at higher doses.2
- Grouped by medicine, not sorted by price, and not a recommendation. Your doctor sets the medicine and the dose.
- Prices are reviewed by the authorities from time to time; we re-check them every quarter.
What does a year cost?
For Mounjaro, about AED 22,500 a year for the medicine alone, whatever your dose. For Wegovy, it depends on the dose.
Work out your own cost
Choose a medicine. The cost calculator adds up the dose steps for 6 or 12 months at current prices, and you can change the plan.
Opens the cost calculator in a new tab. Nothing you choose leaves your device.A year of weekly doses is 52 doses, or 13 pens. Here are worked examples using the official prices above. They are examples for the sum, not a suggestion: your doctor decides your dose. The Wegovy example follows the label's schedule: 4 weeks each at 0.25, 0.5, 1 and 1.7 mg, then 2.4 mg.20
| Medicine, at the official price | 6 months | 12 months |
|---|---|---|
| Mounjaro, any dose (AED 1,734 a pen) | AED 11,271 | AED 22,542 |
| Wegovy, rising to 2.4 mg (4 weeks at each step, then 2.4 mg) | AED 8,353 | AED 19,481 |
Mounjaro: 6.5 pens by 6 months (26 doses) and 13 pens by 12 months, at AED 1,734 each. Wegovy: one pen each of 0.25, 0.5, 1 and 1.7 mg in the first 16 weeks (AED 743.50 + 743.50 + 1,145.50 + 1,440 = AED 4,072.50), then 2.4 mg at AED 1,712 a pen: 2.5 more pens by 6 months (AED 4,280) and 9 by 12 months (AED 15,408). Medicine only; doctor visits, tests and any programme fees are extra.2
Budget in years, not months: Guide 9 covers what happens when you stop. Our cost calculator works out other doses.
The risks, in brief
- Feeling sick, vomiting, diarrhoea and constipation are common, mostly when the dose goes up.19
- Inflamed pancreas (pancreatitis): severe stomach pain that won't settle.19
- Gallbladder problems, including gallstones.19
- Losing too much fluid from vomiting or diarrhoea can harm the kidneys, a bigger risk in the heat and when fasting.19,22
- The US label rules it out for people with medullary thyroid cancer in themselves or their family, or with MEN 2; tell your doctor if this applies.19
- Not in pregnancy. Stop semaglutide at least 2 months before a planned pregnancy.20
Questions people ask
Can I buy Ozempic or Mounjaro without a prescription in the UAE?
No. They are prescription-only medicines, and Abu Dhabi's Department of Health tells the public not to buy them without a prescription or through online adverts.1,9 Selling Mounjaro without a licence has led to court fines in Sharjah.23
Why does Mounjaro cost the same at every dose?
Its fixed price is AED 1,734 per pen at every strength, from 2.5 mg to 15 mg.2 So going up a dose doesn't change the monthly cost, unlike Wegovy and Ozempic.
Does insurance cover Mounjaro or Wegovy for weight loss?
Usually not. Dubai's basic plan excludes weight-loss medicines, and Daman covers obesity medicines only for members of Abu Dhabi's Thiqa obesity programme.6,7 Some enhanced plans differ, so ask your insurer in writing.
Can I get a prescription from an online doctor?
Yes, from a licensed doctor and facility. In Abu Dhabi, the doctor must speak to you on a live audio or video call before prescribing.5 A form alone isn't enough.
Is Zepbound available in the UAE?
We found no sign of it. In the UAE, tirzepatide for weight is sold as Mounjaro.27
Is Wegovy 7.2 mg available in the UAE?
Not as of March 2026, when talks with UAE regulators were reported as ongoing, with no timeline.28 The highest dose sold here is 2.4 mg.
Can I keep the pen out of the fridge?
Unused pens go in the fridge. After first use, a Wegovy FlexTouch can be kept below 30°C for up to 6 weeks, and a Mounjaro KwikPen below 30°C for up to 30 days.20,30 In UAE summers, "room temperature" is often above 30°C, so keep it cool.34
Before you move on
- You need a prescription from a UAE-licensed doctor; in Abu Dhabi, one certified in obesity management for weight.
- Online is fine from licensed doctors who see you live first.
- Prices are fixed nationally; insurance rarely pays for weight loss.
- Only approved pens or tablets from a licensed pharmacy: never a vial, a "peptide" or anything from social media.
- Keep pens below 30°C, and never in a parked car.
Sources
- Department of Health – Abu Dhabi. Circular 48/2026, 16 March 2026, relaying an alert on fake GLP-1 products ("GLP-1 receptor agonists … are prescription-only medicines and should only be used under medical supervision"; unregistered products sold online and on social media; report to [email protected]). Summarised, not reproduced. doh.gov.ae
- Department of Health – Abu Dhabi. Shafafiya drug price list (Drugs.xlsx), released 26 September 2026, effective 2 October 2026: official "Package Price to Public" for each pack named here, each listed as a prescription-only medicine ("POM"). Downloaded and checked 12 October 2026. shafafiyaportal.doh.gov.ae (XLSX)
- Department of Health – Abu Dhabi. Standard for Non-Surgical Management of Obesity, DOH/ST/HPS/Non-Surgical-MO/V1/2025, February 2025 (GLP-1 starting criteria: BMI 30 or more with a weight-related comorbidity, or over 40; "The obesity certified physician determines the initiation time of pharmacological treatment"; continue beyond 6 months only with at least 5% weight loss; Asian origin and BMI over 23). Checked 12 October 2026. doh.gov.ae
- Dubai Health Authority. Clinical Guidelines for Virtual Management of Obesity, DHA/HRS/HPSD/CG-53, issue 2, effective 21 April 2024 (applies to DHA-licensed physicians and facilities providing telehealth; excludes emergencies and controlled medicines; drug therapy at BMI over 30, or 27 to 29.9 with comorbidities, after a comprehensive lifestyle intervention without at least 5% loss at 3 to 6 months; bariatric surgery at BMI 40 or more, or 35 to 39.9 with a serious comorbidity; Asian waist cut-offs). PDF
- Department of Health – Abu Dhabi. Standard on Tele-Medicine, DOH/SA/TLM/0.9/2020, effective 16 September 2020 (DoH-licensed facility; "The physician must have real-time audio/video communication with the patient before issuing the prescription"; prescription recorded in the medical record; refer for a face-to-face visit in cases of uncertainty). doh.gov.ae
- Cigna. Essential Benefits Plan (Dubai Health Authority basic plan), table of benefits: medicines "As per DHA formulary", maximum AED 2,500 a year with 30% co-insurance; exclusions 8 ("Surgical and non-surgical treatment for obesity (including morbid obesity), and any other weight control programs, services, or supplies") and 9 ("pharmacological weight reduction regimens"). Checked 12 October 2026. PDF
- Daman (National Health Insurance Company). Adjudication guideline: Glucagon-like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) Receptor agonist, version 5, effective 15 January 2023, revised 19 April 2026 (table of GLP-1 brands and approved uses; diabetes cover needs HbA1c 6.5% or more, cardiovascular disease or risk factors, and at least 6 months on metformin or other agents; prior approval; first supply one month; prescribers in internal medicine, endocrinology, family medicine or cardiology; obesity medicines covered only within the Thiqa obesity programme). Checked 12 October 2026. PDF
- Gulf News. Anti-obesity drugs Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro: are they getting cheaper? (Ozempic lower-dose pens "around Dh740"; Mounjaro pens "often above Dh1,700"; GLP-1s "remain largely out-of-pocket expenses, with limited insurance coverage typically restricted to diabetes or specific metabolic conditions"). 7 February 2026. gulfnews.com
- Department of Health – Abu Dhabi. Circular 10/2025, 4 February 2025, "Alert Against the Use of Counterfeit Version of Ozempic and Mounjaro" sold through social media; the public should not buy them without a prescription, online or through adverts. Summarised, not reproduced. doh.gov.ae
- Gulf News. UAE weight-loss drug crackdown: 71 sources, 14 influencers face action (Emirates Drug Establishment action against sellers of unapproved peptides, 14 of them registered facilities; 14 influencers referred to the National Media Office; retatrutide "remains under clinical investigation"). 25 July 2026. gulfnews.com
- Khaleej Times. UAE approves Wegovy for weight loss and cardiovascular risk reduction (the Wegovy pill, approved by the Emirates Drug Establishment for "long-term weight management in adults with obesity or overweight linked to weight-related medical conditions", and to reduce the risk of major heart events in adults with established heart disease). 1 June 2026. khaleejtimes.com
- Pinsent Masons. UAE pharmaceutical law: 10 things businesses should know (Federal Decree-Law No. 38 of 2024, in force 2 January 2025; medical products may not be advertised by any means without approval; fines up to AED 1 million). 17 February 2025. pinsentmasons.com
- Department of Health – Abu Dhabi. Circular 208/2024, 25 October 2024, relaying a Ministry of Health and Prevention alert on a counterfeit Mounjaro 15 mg/0.5 ml single-dose pen pack, labelled in English and Arabic (the Ministry's lab could not identify tirzepatide). Summarised, not reproduced. doh.gov.ae
- Ministry of Health and Prevention. National Clinical Guidelines for Weight Management and Prevention of Adulthood Obesity, launched June 2025. We could not open the document to check its contents. mohap.gov.ae
- Department of Health – Abu Dhabi. Thiqa reimbursement policy for obesity medications, DoH/Policy/TRP-OMM/HPS/V1/2025, effective 11 June 2025 (adults 18+; BMI bands and listed complications; certified prescribers; more than 5% weight loss plus "75 min vigorous exercise per week", "150 min moderate exercise per week" or "10,000 steps per day on average", tracked through the Sahatna app; 1-month trial, up to 3 months' supply at a time, review at 4 months). Checked 12 October 2026. doh.gov.ae
- Department of Health – Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi expands access to innovative daily oral obesity treatment (Foundayo covered for adults eligible for the Personalised Weight Management Programme). 24 April 2026. doh.gov.ae
- Khaleej Times. Doctors warn of risks of weight-loss drugs (GLP-1) ("Over 1,600 people signed up through virtual healthcare platforms in recent months"). 19 September 2025. khaleejtimes.com
- Simulated-patient study of 153 community pharmacies in Dubai and the Northern Emirates asked for Ozempic for weight loss without a prescription ("only a minority (26.8%) requested a prescription"). Pharmacy Practice, 2026. Ajman University
- Novo Nordisk. Wegovy (semaglutide) prescribing information, US label (FDA), revised June 2026. Not the UAE label. DailyMed
- European Medicines Agency. Wegovy (semaglutide), product information (EU label). Not the UAE label. PDF
- Eli Lilly. Mounjaro (tirzepatide) prescribing information, US label (FDA), sections 7.2 and 8.3 (oral hormonal contraceptives). Not the UAE label. Lilly
- Gulf News. Can you take Ozempic while fasting during Ramadan? UAE experts weigh in (plan dosing with a doctor before Ramadan; pause dose increases; drink 2–3 litres between Iftar and Suhoor; seek review for persistent vomiting, severe abdominal pain or dehydration). 16 February 2026. gulfnews.com
- Gulf News. Dh10,000 fine for selling Mounjaro injections without a licence in Sharjah (Sharjah Misdemeanours Court; selling medicines without a licence and practising pharmacy without authorisation). 31 July 2026. gulfnews.com
- Gulf News. Mounjaro injection for type 2 diabetes, weight management now available ("UAE is the second country after the USA to have this medication approved"). 31 August 2022. gulfnews.com
- The National. UAE approves weight-loss pill Foundayo (orforglipron), the second country after the US, with availability expected the following month. 5 April 2026. thenationalnews.com
- Novo Nordisk press release via BioSpace. Wegovy pill launches in the UAE ("first country outside the United States to make the Wegovy pill available"). 3 June 2026. biospace.com
- Dubai Health Authority. Ejada KPIs and Recommendations: Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome, issued 3 September 2024 (semaglutide (Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro) "registered for obesity pharmacotherapy in UAE"). Checked 12 October 2026. PDF
- Gulf News. Higher maintenance dose of weight-loss drug Wegovy approved in EU: when will UAE get it? ("discussions with UAE regulators are ongoing, though no timeline has been set"). 2 March 2026. gulfnews.com
- AGBI. Fat chance: Globalpharma paves way for Ozempic alternatives (preparing generic GLP-1s "once regulatory approvals are secured"). May 2025. agbi.com
- European Medicines Agency. Mounjaro (tirzepatide), product information (EU label), including in-use storage ("After first use 30 days … refrigerator (2 ºC – 8 ºC) or unrefrigerated at a temperature below 30 ºC"). Not the UAE label. PDF
- European Medicines Agency. Rybelsus (oral semaglutide), product information (EU label), section 4.2 (take on an empty stomach with up to half a glass of water; wait at least 30 minutes before eating, drinking or other oral medicines). Not the UAE label. PDF
- Department of Digital Ajman. Handling emergencies (999 police, 998 ambulance, 997 civil defence). Checked 12 October 2026. ajman.ae
- European Medicines Agency. Ozempic (semaglutide), product information (EU label), including in-use storage (6 weeks, below 30 °C or in a refrigerator). Not the UAE label. PDF
- Gulf News. UAE weather alert: Sweihan hits 51.8°C as extreme heat grips Dubai and Abu Dhabi. 1 August 2025. gulfnews.com
- Mondaq (law firm analysis). Pricing of pharmaceutical products in the United Arab Emirates (prices fixed at registration by a Ministry committee, with "fixed margins for the distributors and pharmacies"). mondaq.com
- Khaleej Times. Wegovy weight-loss pill: cost in UAE pharmacies ("Starting price: Dh779"; a home-care provider said it was "dispensing a prescription approximately every 17 minutes"). 10 June 2026. khaleejtimes.com
Last checked 12 Oct 2026 · Prices and rules re-checked quarterly · Next full review due Jan 2027 · Report an error
How this guide was made. Written by the GLP Guidebook team from the sources above: standards and circulars from the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi and the Dubai Health Authority, insurance documents, EU and US product information, and named news reports. It's general information, not medical advice. Talk to a qualified doctor before starting, stopping or changing any medicine. In a medical emergency, call 998 for an ambulance, or 999. We don't sell, prescribe or recommend any brand, and we take no money from drug companies, pharmacies or clinics. How we write