Once-Daily Pill Approved for Adults and Teens Aged 12 and Above with Non-Segmental Vitiligo.
The UAE has become the first country in the world to approve an oral treatment for non-segmental vitiligo, giving eligible patients aged 12 and above a new treatment option.
The Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE) has approved a new therapeutic indication for RINVOQ (upadacitinib) for adults and adolescents aged 12 and older with non-segmental vitiligo whose condition requires systemic therapy. The treatment is designed for cases where medication that works throughout the body is needed.
Vitiligo is a skin condition that causes areas of the skin to lose pigment, resulting in the appearance of white patches. It develops when melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing melanin, are destroyed.
The exact cause of vitiligo is not fully understood, but an autoimmune response is believed to be a major contributing factor. The condition is not contagious.
The latest approval is significant as it adds an oral systemic treatment to the options available to eligible patients with non-segmental vitiligo.
RINVOQ is taken once daily and is now approved in the UAE for patients who meet the specified medical criteria.
Vitiligo can affect different parts of the body and may be more noticeable in people with darker skin. However, not all white patches are caused by vitiligo, making medical assessment important for accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Depending on the type and extent of the condition, existing treatment options may include topical medicines, phototherapy and laser-based therapies.
The EDE said the approval reflects the UAE’s advanced regulatory framework and its efforts to keep pace with global scientific developments, strengthen the pharmaceutical sector and accelerate access to innovative treatments.
The authority also encouraged people who notice unusual changes in skin colour to consult a specialist for early diagnosis, proper assessment and guidance on the most suitable treatment.
