Global & United Arab Emirates Cancer Therapeutics Market to 2031

Healthcare infrastructure in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has seen considerable development in recent years. As per the International Trade Administration, healthcare expenditure in the country was projected to reach approximately US$18.3 billion by 2023. In the federal budget for 2022, 8.4% of the government’s approved public spending—totaling US$15.8 billion (AED 58.931 billion)—was allocated to the healthcare sector. The UAE government remains the primary financier of its healthcare system and medical research institutions. Its continuous investment in healthcare drives the adoption of advanced diagnostic tools and modern treatment options.

Official government data indicates that around 4,500 new cancer cases are diagnosed annually in the UAE. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, there were 4,807 newly reported cancer cases in 2020. GLOBOCAN 2020 statistics reveal that approximately 1,030 of these were breast cancer cases, making up 21.4% of all reported cases. The rising number of cancer patients, along with an aging demographic and lifestyle-related risk factors—such as tobacco use and unhealthy diets—is fueling the demand for both traditional and cutting-edge cancer treatments.

In June 2023, the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with MSD GCC to promote cancer research, particularly in the areas of breast and lung cancer. This agreement builds on their ongoing collaboration, with plans to launch two observational studies in oncology. These studies will concentrate on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and triple-negative breast cancer, aiming to enhance understanding and improve clinical outcomes for patients facing these complex conditions.