The UAE has approved the use of a new treatment for non-segmental vitiligo.
The Emirates Drug Establishment announced on Monday that the UAE is the first country in the world to adopt the use of the drug, known as Rinvoq, for this purpose.
Vitiligo is a condition which causes loss of skin colour in patches. It causes the loss of pigment cells, often resulting in discoloured patches on parts of the body.
There is no cure for the disorder, which affects between 0.5 and 1 per cent of the world's population.
“The UAE is the first country in the world to adopt the expanded use of Rinvoq, reflecting its advanced position in keeping pace with the latest pharmaceutical innovations and accelerating their availability,” the EDE said.
An important development
Rinvoq is already approved for use by health authorities in locations including the US and Europe for conditions such as chronic autoimmune and inflammatory conditions.
Dr Rekha Santosh, specialist in Dermatology and Aesthetic at Burjeel Hospital, Abu Dhabi, said the approval was "an important development" as the options for people with more extensive cases of the disease have remained limited.
"In my practice, I see patients across different age groups whose vitiligo affects visible areas such as the face, hands and neck, and many of them come after trying topical treatments, phototherapy, or combinations of therapies with varying results," she said.
"The emotional impact can also be significant, especially for adolescents and young adults. Having a once-daily oral treatment creates an additional option for appropriately selected patients who require systemic therapy.
"The oral route can also be advantageous for patients with widespread involvement, where applying topical medication over large areas may be difficult or impractical.
"This approval is especially meaningful because it expands the treatment pathway beyond localised therapies. It also reinforces the UAE’s commitment to early access to medical innovation. For many patients, that could be life-changing clinically.”
