Dubai: The UAE recorded 5,122 reports of suspected adverse reactions to medicines in the first nine months of 2026, an increase of 16.7 per cent compared with the same period last year, according to the Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE).
The figure rose from 4,390 reports between January and September 2025. A total of 5,840 reports were registered throughout last year, while about 20 per cent of the cases were classified as serious.
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According to Emarat Al Youm, the figures come with a warning from the regulator that an increase in reports does not necessarily indicate that medicines are becoming more dangerous.
The establishment explained that higher reporting figures could be attributed to expanded reporting channels, greater public awareness, increased engagement among healthcare professionals and changes in medicine use or data collection.
It stressed that suspected adverse reactions should be reported even when there is no confirmed link between a medicine and the symptoms experienced.
The EDE also identified six warning signs requiring immediate medical attention after taking medication: difficulty breathing, swelling of the tongue or throat, fainting, a severe skin rash accompanied by blistering or peeling, heavy or unusual bleeding, and severe persistent pain accompanied by other concerning symptoms.
