DUBAI: The Emirates Drug Establishment has authorized Lipfendra, an oral drug taken once per day by adults who suffer from high levels of LDL cholesterol, making the UAE the second country in the world to approve the drug. UAE Lipfendra cholesterol approval second country status highlights not only the effectiveness of the UAE's regulatory process for pharmaceuticals but also its desire to provide patients with the most innovative drugs as soon as they enter the global market.
For people in the UAE suffering from high levels of LDL cholesterol, including individuals with genetic conditions for which standard interventions are not enough, this approval is going to provide additional treatment opportunities.
LDL cholesterol, also known as low-density lipoprotein, ranks among the foremost modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, which continue to be the world’s leading cause of mortality. High levels of LDL result in formation of arterial plaques and thus make people susceptible to heart attack and stroke.
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Relevance of Inherited Conditions for UAE Lipfendra Cholesterol Approval
The UAE Lipfendra cholesterol approval second country designation also involves patients suffering from specific inherited cholesterol conditions, meaning conditions like familial hypercholesterolaemia where genetics results in abnormally high LDL levels even after lifestyle changes and regular medication.
For patients who suffer from inherited cholesterol conditions, currently available first line therapy in the form of statins and other drugs might not be adequate to lower LDL to the required level. This fact is relevant due to the increased cardiovascular risk that people suffering from inherited cholesterol conditions have since early life.
Second Country Approval Status of Lipfendra in UAE – A Regulatory Positioning Statement. The fact that EDE is able to gain the position of the second nation to approve the use of Lipfendra on a global scale speaks volumes about the ongoing investments of the UAE into making its pharmaceutical regulation more efficient.
In providing access to breakthrough drugs shortly after the drug was approved worldwide, the UAE sends an unmistakable message to pharmaceutical companies about the advantages of using this market as one of the fastest channels of gaining access compared to other countries in the region.
From the perspective of patients, this means that there will be less time needed for getting the medicine from being available on a global level to being prescribed in the UAE.
The Emirates Drug Establishment made use of the second country announcement of UAE Lipfendra cholesterol approval to deliver its message on the management of cholesterol. The EDE called upon the general public, especially those suffering from high levels of cholesterol, to:
Live a healthy lifestyle that includes having a balanced diet and doing physical exercise
Seek a health professional who can evaluate their personal status
Discuss with their doctor about the best way to treat them using the right medication, either Lipfendra or something else depending on their personal levels of cholesterol.
The advice is in accordance with the existing medical consensus about the use of medicines to treat high cholesterol levels as something to be used in addition to lifestyle changes, with Lipfendra being another option available for managing the risks of heart disease.