The UAE has become the first country in the world to approve an oral treatment for non-segmental vitiligo, offering a new option for eligible patients aged 12 and above.
The Emirates Drug Establishment has approved a new therapeutic indication for RINVOQ (upadacitinib) for adults and adolescents aged 12 years and older with non-segmental vitiligo who require systemic therapy.
Vitiligo is a skin condition in which patches lose pigment and turn white. It occurs when melanocytes, the cells that produce melanin, are destroyed.
The exact cause is not fully understood, but an autoimmune response is considered one of the main factors. The condition is not contagious.
The approval is significant because it adds an oral systemic treatment to the options available for eligible patients.
What happened
RINVOQ is taken once daily and is now licensed in the UAE for patients who meet the approved medical criteria.
Vitiligo can affect different parts of the body and may be more visible in people with darker skin. Medical assessment is important as not every white patch is caused by vitiligo.
Depending on the type and extent of the condition, existing treatments may include topical medicines, phototherapy and laser-based treatments.
The Emirates Drug Establishment said the approval reflects the UAE’s advanced regulatory framework and its efforts to respond to scientific progress, strengthen the pharmaceutical sector and speed up access to innovative treatments.
The details
It also called on people who notice unusual changes in skin color to consult a specialist for early diagnosis and proper treatment selection.
Stay Connected with ProPakistani
Get the latest international news and global stories wherever you prefer.
Related stories
Karnataka HC admits Qatar Holding plea for enforcement of award against Byju’s
About the AuthorsYash TiwariYash Tiwari is a Mumbai-based journalist who reports on corporate and regulatory developments, with a focus on court-driven policy shifts and…
Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Tech to Power India's Next-Gen Satellites and Strengthen National…
Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Tech to Power India's Next-Gen Satellites and Strengthen National Security: ISRO Experts at National Space Technology Conclave 2026
Smartphone buyers seek AI phones while performance remains a key ask, report
Nearly 25% buyers said they need a phone that can understand and suggest action, 18% needed it for generative photo editing, 17% for doing…
Bengaluru’s ORR companies write to GBA expressing concern over white-topping in October,…
Pointing out that ORR supports more than 500 companies and approximately 1.3 million employees, the association argues that work-from-home (WFH) cannot be a substitute…