Legislation Details
- Full Title: Federal Law on the Practice of Some Medical Professions by Persons Other Than Physicians and Pharmacists
- Law Type: Federal Law
- Law Number: [6] of 2023
- Issued Date: 31 May 2023
- Effective Date: 30 Jun 2023
- Official Gazette: No. 752
- Sector: Healthcare
- Status: Active
- Number of Articles: 46
- Chapters/Parts: 0
- Amendments: 0
Summary
The Federal Law on the Practice of Some Medical Professions by Persons Other Than Physicians and Pharmacists regulates the practice of certain healthcare professions in the United Arab Emirates. Its purpose is to protect society from illegal practices in these professions and establish the principles and standards necessary for their practice to ensure the best health services for the public. The law applies to any person practicing these designated healthcare professions in the UAE, including free zones. It sets out licensing requirements, professional obligations, disciplinary measures, and penalties for non-compliance. This legislation is important for healthcare practitioners, facilities, and businesses in the UAE to understand their legal responsibilities and rights. (Federal Law No. (6) of 2023 on the Practice of Some Medical Professions by Persons Other Than Physicians and Pharmacists, Art. 1-3)
What is the scope and purpose of this law?
The scope of this law is to regulate the practice of healthcare professions other than physicians and pharmacists in the UAE, including in free zones. Its purpose is twofold: 1) to regulate the practice of these healthcare professions and protect society from illegal practices, and 2) to establish the principles and standards necessary for practicing these professions to achieve the best health services for the public. (Federal Law No. (6) of 2023 on the Practice of Some Medical Professions by Persons Other Than Physicians and Pharmacists, Art. 2-3)
What are the key definitions under this law?
- State: The United Arab Emirates
- Ministry: The Ministry of Health and Prevention
- Minister: The Minister of Health and Prevention
- Health Authority: The Ministry or any government federal or local authority in charge of health affairs in the UAE, within their respective areas of competence
- Health Facility: A facility that provides health services to persons, including prevention, treatment and convalescence
- Health Profession: A healthcare profession other than physician or pharmacist, as identified by a Cabinet resolution
- License: A permit issued by the Health Authority allowing the practice of a Health Profession
(Federal Law No. (6) of 2023 on the Practice of Some Medical Professions by Persons Other Than Physicians and Pharmacists, Art. 1)
What are the main obligations and requirements?
The law imposes several key obligations on healthcare practitioners: 1. They must be licensed by the Health Authority to practice their profession. (Art. 4) 2. They must perform their work within the scope of their license and the license of the health facility they work for. (Art. 8(1)) 3. They must be familiar with and adhere to all relevant federal and local legislation related to their profession. (Art. 8(2)) 4. They must perform their duties accurately, honestly, and in conformity with recognized scientific and technical norms to provide necessary patient care. (Art. 8(3)) 5. They must not exploit patients for unlawful personal benefit. (Art. 8(4)) 6. They must preserve the dignity and honor of their profession. (Art. 8(5)) 7. They must communicate and cooperate with other healthcare workers. (Art. 8(6)) 8. They must adhere to the code of ethics and professional conduct issued by the Ministry. (Art. 8(7))
(Federal Law No. (6) of 2023 on the Practice of Some Medical Professions by Persons Other Than Physicians and Pharmacists, Art. 4, 8)
What licensing, registration, or approval requirements exist?
To obtain a license to practice a healthcare profession, the applicant must: 1. Hold an academic certificate or degree recognized in the UAE in the relevant field. (Art. 5(1)) 2. Be of good conduct and behavior, and have never been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude or dishonesty, unless rehabilitated. (Art. 5(2)) 3. Be medically fit to perform the job duties. (Art. 5(3)) 4. Fulfill the standards for licensing healthcare practitioners identified by a Cabinet resolution. (Art. 5(4)) 5. Fulfill any other conditions or controls defined in the Executive Regulations. (Art. 5(5))
The Health Authority is responsible for receiving and deciding on license applications, as per the procedures and time limits specified in the Executive Regulations. (Art. 6)
(Federal Law No. (6) of 2023 on the Practice of Some Medical Professions by Persons Other Than Physicians and Pharmacists, Art. 5-6)
What are the penalties for non-compliance?
The law prescribes the following penalties for non-compliance: 1. Imprisonment and/or a fine of not less than AED 50,000 and not more than AED 100,000 for practicing a healthcare profession without a license or failing to meet the licensing requirements. (Art. 16(1)) 2. A fine of not less than AED 1,000 and not more than AED 50,000 for healthcare practitioners who violate the provisions of the law, its Executive Regulations, or implementing resolutions. (Art. 13(2)(c)) 3. Temporary suspension of the license, in whole or in part, for up to 6 months, partial revocation of the license, or full revocation of the license and removal from the register as disciplinary sanctions. (Art. 13(2)(d-f))
(Federal Law No. (6) of 2023 on the Practice of Some Medical Professions by Persons Other Than Physicians and Pharmacists, Art. 13, 15-16)
Which authorities or bodies are responsible for enforcement?
The key authorities responsible for enforcement under this law are: 1. The Ministry of Health and Prevention, which is responsible for creating a national register of licensed healthcare practitioners and issuing the code of ethics and professional conduct. (Art. 9(1), 8(7)) 2. The Health Authorities, which are responsible for issuing licenses, maintaining their own registers of licensed practitioners, and imposing disciplinary sanctions for violations. (Art. 6, 9(2), 13) 3. A committee formed by resolution of the Minister or Health Authority chairman to consider the physical fitness of healthcare practitioners. (Art. 10(3))
(Federal Law No. (6) of 2023 on the Practice of Some Medical Professions by Persons Other Than Physicians and Pharmacists, Art. 9-10, 13)
When did this law come into effect?
This Federal Law No. (6) of 2023 on the Practice of Some Medical Professions by Persons Other Than Physicians and Pharmacists came into effect on 30 June 2023, as per Article 22.
(Federal Law No. (6) of 2023 on the Practice of Some Medical Professions by Persons Other Than Physicians and Pharmacists, Art. 22)
Source Documents
This article analyses Federal Law on the Practice of Some Medical Professions by Persons Other Than Physicians and Pharmacists for legal research and educational purposes. For the purpose of interpretation and application, reference must be made to the original Arabic text. In case of conflict, the Arabic text prevails. This does not constitute legal advice.