By Maria Kalamatas | August 6, 2025 – Dubai
Kuehne+Nagel in the UAE has received official certification from the Emirates Drug Establishment. That means the company can now legally manage pharmaceutical cargo that requires strict handling conditions.
The certification, granted earlier this week, covers cold chain logistics, temperature-controlled storage, and compliance with national pharmaceutical transport standards. It applies to operations in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
“This isn’t just about following rules,” said Pascal Held, Managing Director of Kuehne+Nagel UAE. “It’s about protecting critical shipments that people depend on.”
Facilities now meet EDE criteria
To qualify, the company had to upgrade storage units, retrain staff, and show full traceability on product movement. Everything from warehouse temperature logs to vehicle tracking had to meet EDE expectations.
The process took several months, but the company says it’s been worth it.
“We’ve already seen new interest from pharma clients since the approval was made public,” Held added.
Meeting growing healthcare needs
The UAE is becoming a hub for medical distribution in the Gulf. With more clinics, hospitals, and suppliers operating regionally, demand for compliant logistics providers is rising.
Kuehne+Nagel believes this certification positions it for growth in the healthcare space—an area where mistakes are not tolerated.
“If you’re moving insulin or vaccines, there’s no room for error,” Held said.
The company now joins a select group of logistics operators authorized to handle regulated pharma products in the Emirates.
