First Oral Treatment for Non-Segmental Vitiligo Approved in UAE

The Emirates Drug Establishment has approved RINVOQ, or upadacitinib, for the treatment of non-segmental vitiligo in adults and adolescents aged 12 and older who require systemic therapy.

The approval makes RINVOQ the first licensed oral treatment for this patient group in the UAE, with the medicine taken once daily under approved medical criteria.

The UAE is also the first country globally to authorise this expanded therapeutic use of RINVOQ.

The Emirates Drug Establishment said the approval forms part of its regulatory approach to keeping pace with new scientific developments and expanding access to approved treatment options.

The new indication provides an additional option for eligible patients with non-segmental vitiligo, a form of the condition characterised by loss of skin pigmentation affecting areas on both sides of the body.

The authority also advised people who notice unusual changes in skin colour to consult a specialist for diagnosis, assessment and selection of an appropriate treatment plan.