UAE approves new oral treatment for vitiligo patients

The UAE has become the first country in the world to approve the oral treatment RINVOQ (upadacitinib) for non-segmental vitiligo, a skin condition causing patches of skin to lose colour.

The Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE) approved the treatment, which applies to patients aged 12 years and above whose condition requires systemic therapy through medicines that circulate in the bloodstream.

The medicine is taken orally once a day, providing an additional treatment option for eligible patients in line with approved medical criteria.

It is considered the first licensed oral treatment for non-segmental vitiligo patients, considered the most common form of the skin condition that appears in symmetric areas across the body. 

Meanwhile, segmental vitiligo, seen in fewer cases, is focused towards one patch or area within the patient affected.

The medication provides an additional option for eligible patients, expanding the scope of treatment in the UAE and worldwide. 

The establishment urged the public to consult a specialist if they notice any unusual changes in skin colour, to support early diagnosis, proper assessment, and the selection of the most appropriate treatment for each patient.

كل ابتكار علاجي يضيف خياراً جديداً للمرضى المؤهلين، ويعزز منظومة رعاية صحية تواكب أحدث التطورات.
ويأتي اعتماد استخدام دواء رينفوك لعلاج البهاق غير القطعي في هذا الإطار، وفق تقييم الطبيب المختص.#مؤسسة_الإمارات_للدواء pic.twitter.com/TvICJtC9YX

— Emirates Drug Establishment مؤسسة الإمارات للدواء (@EDE_UAE) August 17, 2026