SAMIA KANAWATI
External Affairs Director MSD, Chairwoman Health Sector Committee AmCham Dubai & PhRMAG IP & Trade Working Group Lead
The move
MoveThe Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers Association in the Gulf (PHRMAG) → MSD
TitleChair IP & Trade → Director of Policy (Gulf & Libya) & Head of Communications (Gulf, Libya & Egypt)
LocationUnited Arab Emirates → Dubai
Cross-border moveNo — same country
Native languageArabic
Years in UAE12.5
Total experience20.6 years
MSD headcount10,001+ employees
MSD industryPharmaceutical Manufacturing
MSD HQRahway, New Jersey
MSD typePublic Company
Career arc
- Director of Policy (Gulf & Libya) & Head of Communications (Gulf, Libya & Egypt)Apr 2026 — Present
MSD· Dubai, United Arab Emirates· Full-time - Member Board of Directors & Chair of Health SectorAug 2025 — PresentAAmerican Business Council - American Chamber of Commerce - Kuwait (ABCK-AmCham Kuwait)
- Chair IP & TradeFeb 2025 — PresentTThe Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers Association in the Gulf (PHRMAG)· United Arab Emirates· Full-time
- Chairwoman Health Sector CommitteeMar 2024 — PresentAAmCham Dubai, Member, Global Network of American Chambers of Commerce (American Business Council)
- Director Of External Affairs GCCAug 2021 — Apr 2026MSD· Dubai, United Arab Emirates· Full-time
- Area Communications &PR Lead EEMEA (Eastern,Central Europe,Middle East &Africa)Allergan AestheticsJul 2020 — Aug 2021
AbbVie· Full-time
- Associate Director Communications & Government Affairs India Middle East Africa IMEAAug 2018 — Jul 2020
Allergan· United Arab Emirates - Regulatory Affairs Manager- Middle East/ Communications and Public AffairsFeb 2017 — Aug 2018
Shire· Dubai, UAE
- Senior Regulatory Affairs Specialist/ Communications and Business PartnerJul 2016 — Feb 2017
GSK· Dubai, UAE - Regulatory Affairs Specialist/ Communications and Business PartnerJul 2014 — Jun 2016GSK· Dubai, UAE
- Regulatory Affairs AssociateDec 2013 — Jun 2014GSK· Dubai,UAE
- Head of Quality Control and RegulatoryFeb 2005 — Jun 2013
KMP Pharmaceuticals· Levant
Education
- The Martin Luther University of Halle-WittenbergPharmaceutical research · Pharmacy2007 — 2007
- University of Bradford School of ManagementExecutive MBA2014 — 2016
- The Martin Luther University of Halle-WittenbergDiplom-phamazeutin · Biopharmacy2008 — 2009
- University of JordanBachelor of Science (BSc) · Pharmacy2000 — 2005
Languages
- Arabic · Native or bilingual
- English · Full professional
- French · Professional working
Top skills
eCTDGood Laboratory Practice (GLP)Public SpeakingLeadershipRegulatory SubmissionsRegulatory Requirements
About
A professional lady with 2 decades of experience in Communications, Public Affairs, Government Affairs and Regulatory Affairs. Backed up with a strong business acumen, both professional and managerial experiences, a people-oriented approach and trustful relationships with key stakeholders in Middle East including GCC, Egypt, Levant, Libya and Yemen. Professional Expertise include: Public Speech, Communications & Public Affairs, establishing Governmental relationships in addition to regulatory technicalities.