Updated 7 min read
How Dubai licensing works
Pharmacists apply to the Dubai Health Authority through its licensing system, complete primary source verification, and sit a computer-based assessment. DHA's Professional Qualification Requirements set the eligible categories and experience. A DHA licence is separate from Abu Dhabi (DOH) and MOHAP licences.
Topics to prioritise
- Drug interactions with clinical consequences: CYP3A4 and CYP2C9 inhibitors, QT-prolonging combinations, serotonergic combinations, and potassium-raising drugs.
- Renal dose adjustment: metformin, DOACs, aminoglycosides, vancomycin and gabapentinoids.
- Community pharmacy: OTC counselling, minor ailments and when to refer.
- Chronic disease: hypertension, dyslipidaemia, diabetes, asthma and thyroid disease.
- Infections: urinary tract, respiratory, skin and H. pylori regimens.
Answer like a pharmacist on duty
Many DHA-style questions offer two technically correct options. Choose the one that is safest for the patient described: the drug that avoids their allergy, suits their kidney function, does not interact with what they already take and is appropriate in pregnancy if that applies. Read the scenario for those details before looking at the options.
A six-week plan
- Weeks 1–3: therapeutics by organ system with daily mixed MCQs.
- Week 4: interactions, renal and hepatic dosing, and calculations.
- Week 5: community pharmacy, OTC and counselling.
- Week 6: full timed mocks and revision of weak topics.