Author: Rhona Chipanga, Research Executive, Beyond Blue
Pharma research in the Gulf is full of opportunity but only when you understand how these markets work.
If your team finds itself saying…
1. “We can use our usual approach… it should work here too, right”
You need real market context.
The UAE is fast-paced and internationally run; Saudi Arabia is centrally structured through the MOH and shaped by Vision 2030.
These structural nuances guide what’s possible, from recruitment cities to digital engagement essential for effective fieldwork.
2. “Recruitment is slow… what’s wrong?”
You need trust and the right local networks.
In the UAE and KSA, credibility beats outreach.
Respondents engage when they know who you are, why they were chosen, and how their data will be used, and only strong local partners unlock that.
3. “Our methods are ready… let’s just run them”
You need cultural alignment.
Arabic-first communication, gender-sensitive moderation (female moderation can be crucial for certain audiences in KSA), prayer time pauses, Friday considerations: these aren’t “nice to haves”.
They directly determine whether respondents feel safe and open.
4. “Online should be easy, no?”
You need methods that work on the ground.
In-person still dominates, especially with physicians.
Mini groups outperform big focus groups.
Online works only when it feels trusted, professional, and legitimate, particularly in Saudi Arabia.
5. “Hopefully the timeline holds…”
You need operational realism.
Public sector physicians may be interrupted mid-interview.
Decision-makers need early notice.
Some studies require approvals; others don’t, but knowing which saves weeks.
Flexibility isn’t a contingency, it’s the operating system.
The takeaway: When you adapt to the realities of the UAE and KSA – culturally, operationally, and methodologically – research becomes smoother, richer, and far more reliable.