The United Arab Emirates (UAE) holds out immense potential for Indian pharmaceutical companies and herbal drug manufacturers dealing with nutraceuticals, dietary supplements, cardiovascular, diabetic and cholesterol bulk actives and formulations.

However, the Gulf country's stringent trade barriers and dominance of multinational companies MNCs has made it difficult for Indian firms, especially formulation manufacturers, to exploit the potential fully. It is only bulk actives, companies which have qualified through the multi-test clearance, that are present in the region despite stringent demands.

While the region's adherence to US and UK regulatory protocols has allowed MNCs to hold sway here, it has made it difficult for Indian exporters to trade.

The UAE Government insists that Indian pharma formulation companies should have at least two of their products figuring in the European Union's approved list of 22 drugs as a key requirement for marketing in the region. This is a difficult prerequisite, informs Shailesh Siroya, managing director, Bal Pharma the lone player from Karnataka in the formulation segment.

The fortune of the pharmaceutical industry in the UAE is largely dependent on the government polices. There is, however, a move to rationalise the trade barriers. It would be better if the companies initiated an inspection similar to what the USFDA and UKMHRA undertake to ensure plant compliance and quality standards. A little pressure from the government of India would make a difference, averred Siroya.

The problems in the region are that it is dominated by multinationals and the UAE-based formulation units have a licensing agreement with the MNCs. Hence imports are less from India, stated a section of industry heads in Karnataka.

"Events like the Arab Health are an ideal platform to showcase Indian expertise and interact with drugs authorities who can help in registration of drugs," they added.

Despite these stringent requirements, some leading Indian firms have a presence in the region. Bal Pharma, which has been exporting gliclazide, an anti-diabetic bulk active for a few years, has made an entry into the over-the-counter segment three years ago with two formulations-Ocium, a calcium supplement and Bal Vidine an antiseptic cream and solution. To expand its distributorship, the company is keen to appoint New Medical Centre, Dubai as its authorised distributors to market the products through its chain of pharmacy stores.

With a large population of this oil-rich country being affected by lifestyle ailments, bulk actives like statins and diabetics are in demand. Biocon has capitalised the opportunity and gained entry in to region with its statins, and diabetic drugs which it has been marketing here for the last one decade. The company has been a regular supplier of enzymes for food and textile sector.

The market for anti diabetic drugs in UAE is growing between 22 and 25 per cent and for cardiovascular drugs is between 11 and 15 per cent, informed sources from Biocon. The other money spinners are nutraceuticals, herbal drugs and cosmetics in the OTC segment.

In the nutraceutical arena, Banner Pharmacaps India has been supplying dietary supplements to Global Pharma in Dubai, stated V. Madhusudan, executive vice-president, Banner Pharmacaps India and president, (elect), Indian Pharmaceutical Association-Karnataka.

The Himalaya Drug Company has an office in Dubai and markets its range of personal care products.

Bal Vedics is now talking to distributors in the region and is in the process of identifying commercially viable products, informed Siroya.