A new rule in the United Arab Emirates will allow its 14 drug manufacturers to start up production on generic drugs sooner so they will be available as soon as the branded products go off patent. The decision by the UAE Ministry of Health will allow them to start clinical trials and import active pharmaceutical ingredients now so they will be on the market in two years, according to albawaba Business. Citing Gulf News, the publication said drugmakers were pleased with the new rule, which they said would lead to about a 40% boost in generic drug production. There is growing interest in drug manufacturing in the region. In December, Merck Serono selected UAE-based Neopharma as its manufacturing partner in the region to make drugs to treat diabetes. Story | More