UAE Becomes First Country to Approve RINVOQ Oral Treatment for Non-Segmental Vitiligo

The UAE has become the first individual country to approve RINVOQ (upadacitinib) as an oral treatment for non-segmental vitiligo in adults and adolescents aged 12 years and older who are candidates for systemic therapy.

The Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE) approved the new therapeutic indication, giving eligible patients an additional systemic treatment option for the chronic autoimmune skin condition. The medicine is taken orally once daily, subject to approved medical criteria and specialist assessment.

A New Option for Eligible Vitiligo Patients

Non-segmental vitiligo is the most common form of vitiligo. It occurs when pigment-producing cells are lost, leading to pale or white patches on the skin. The condition can affect different parts of the body and may progress unpredictably.

Systemic therapies act throughout the body rather than being applied only to affected areas of the skin. The UAE approval applies specifically to patients aged 12 and above whose condition requires this type of treatment.

Clinical Evidence Behind Upadacitinib

Upadacitinib has been studied in the Phase 3 Viti-Up clinical programme in adults and adolescents with non-segmental vitiligo. According to AbbVie, the 15 mg once-daily treatment achieved statistically significant improvements in total-body and facial repigmentation at week 48 compared with placebo in the programme's studies.

AbbVie has also reported that the treatment's safety profile in the vitiligo studies was generally consistent with its established profile in other approved indications, with no new safety signals identified in those trials.

UAE Highlights Faster Access to Pharmaceutical Innovation

The EDE said the approval reflects the UAE's regulatory approach to adopting pharmaceutical innovations and accelerating access to new therapies. The authority said its framework is designed to respond to global scientific developments while supporting improved treatment outcomes.

The development also comes shortly after the European Commission authorised RINVOQ for adults and adolescents aged 12 and older with non-segmental vitiligo who are candidates for systemic therapy. Because the European Commission approval applies across the European Union rather than to a single country acting independently, UAE reports have described the Emirates as the first country to grant the indication.

Patients Advised to Seek Specialist Guidance

The Emirates Drug Establishment has advised people who notice unusual changes in skin colour to consult a specialist. Early assessment can help establish an accurate diagnosis and determine the most appropriate treatment based on the patient's condition.

Medical note: RINVOQ is a prescription medicine and is not suitable for everyone. Treatment decisions should be made by a qualified healthcare professional after considering the approved indication, contraindications, warnings and the patient's individual risk factors.

Sources: Emirates Drug Establishment reporting; AbbVie clinical and regulatory information.