UAE Becomes First Country to Approve AstraZeneca Hypertension Drug

The Emirates Drug Establishment has approved Baxfendy, making the UAE the first country to authorise the treatment for patients with uncontrolled hypertension. Developed by AstraZeneca, the medication contains the active ingredient Baxdrostat and was approved in 1 mg and 2 mg doses as an additional therapy for adults whose blood pressure remains uncontrolled despite standard treatment.
According to regulators, the medicine works by inhibiting an enzyme involved in the production of aldosterone, a hormone associated with elevated blood pressure levels. Officials described the treatment approach as targeting underlying causes of uncontrolled hypertension rather than focusing solely on symptom management.
The approval was based on results from the Phase III BaxHTN and Bax24 clinical trials, which regulators said demonstrated statistically significant reductions in uncontrolled blood pressure when the drug was used alongside conventional therapies.
The Emirates Drug Establishment said the decision aligns with broader efforts to accelerate access to advanced medicines through flexible regulatory pathways and strengthen cardiovascular healthcare capabilities.

Hypertension remains among the UAE’s most common chronic conditions, with estimates suggesting that approximately one in three adults in the country is affected despite the availability of multiple treatment options.