New Era for Hemophilia Care in the UAE: Pfizer Introduces First Prefilled Injectable Therapy
By Editor_wr On May 8, 2025
Pfizer announced today the launch of a new and innovative therapy for people living with hemophilia in the UAE. This marks a significant advancement in care for individuals affected by this rare and serious bleeding disorder.
Hemophilia is a rare genetic bleeding disorder in which the blood fails to clot properly, leading to prolonged bleeding that can be either spontaneous or occur after an injury[1]. Unlike traditional clotting factor replacements, Pfizer's new therapy targets the tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI), a natural anticoagulant protein. By inhibiting TFPI, the treatment helps restore balance to the body's clotting process, reducing the frequency of bleeding episodes.
This advanced therapy is administered once a week through a simple injection under the skin using a prefilled autoinjector pen. It is the first prefilled injectable therapy available in the UAE, designed to make treatment more convenient and accessible for patients, while reducing the burden of frequent infusions.
Dr. Nadine Tarcha, Pfizer Gulf Medical Director, said: 'The introduction of this therapy reflects Pfizer's ongoing commitment to improving the lives of people with rare diseases. By combining scientific innovation with a more convenient delivery method, we aim to empower individuals with hemophilia to live with greater confidence and improved quality of life.'
According to the World Federation of Hemophilia's 2023 Annual Global Survey[2], more than 32,000 in the Eastern Mediterranean region have been diagnosed with hemophilia. This represents less than half of the expected number of cases, suggesting that many individuals remain undiagnosed or lack access to appropriate care. These findings emphasize the importance of early diagnosis and patient-friendly treatment options that can support better long-term outcomes.
The introduction of this therapy supports the UAE's broader healthcare vision, which prioritizes access to innovative treatments and improved quality of care for people living with complex and rare conditions.
Patients are encouraged to speak with their healthcare provider to determine whether this treatment may be appropriate for their condition.
Comments are closed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
21-05-2025
- Zawya
International and regional experts focus on RSV prevention at Pfizer MERA Maternal Immunization Summit
The Pfizer Middle East, Russia and Africa (MERA) Maternal Immunization Summit: Born Ready brought together more than 80 medical experts, physicians, and healthcare professionals together in Cairo, Egypt to share insights on the latest efforts to prevent RSV in newborns The summit highlighted the critical role of maternal vaccinations in the successful prevention of RSV and shed light on global best practices for such vaccination programs. Dubai, UAE – More than 80 international and regional healthcare experts have convened at the Pfizer MERA Maternal Immunization Summit: Born Ready to discuss issues pertaining to maternal immunization. The summit, entitled 'RISE: Respiratory Immunization Summit for Excellence' and, held from 16-17 May 2025 in Cairo, Egypt, focused on the growing burden of neonatal respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and the role of maternal vaccination in its successful prevention. The summit aimed to increase awareness of the virus and its impact, in addition to the importance of maternal immunization in preventing RSV and protecting newborns. Experts addressed the challenges and barriers to the adoption of maternal immunization, shared best practices, and explored how healthcare providers can more effectively implement maternal immunization programs in the region. Professor Irene Cetin, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Milan and Head of Obstetrics, Mangiagalli Policlinico Hospital Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda, Milan, Italy, said: 'Maternal immunization leverages the natural pregnancy process whereby antibodies – disease-fighting molecules – pass naturally from mother to baby through the placenta, starting in the second trimester and peaking during the third. Maternal antibodies help protect infants at birth and during the first few months of life, before they are eligible to receive vaccinations themselves.' The administration of a vaccine to an expectant mother activates the maternal immune system, triggering the production of immunoglobin G (IgG) antibodies, which pass through the placenta from the parental bloodstream. Professor Mohamed Momtaz, Emeritus Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kasr Al Ainy Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt, said: 'Because of the way the placenta pumps antibodies into the fetus during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, fetal IgG concentration usually exceeds the concentration of antibodies in the maternal circulation in full-term infants, meaning the baby is better protected from infectious diseases than the mother. This highlights the tremendous potential of maternal immunization to help prevent transmission of communicable diseases and reduce the impact of infections such as RSV. Furthermore, events like this summit encourage evidence-based conversations between healthcare providers and expectant mothers, while also highlighting practical approaches to communication and appropriate data sharing.' According to the World Health Organization, RSV – a seasonal virus that leads to infections of the lungs and respiratory tract – is the most common cause of acute lower respiratory infections in children globally [i], responsible for an estimated 33 million such infections, more than three million hospitalizations and almost 60,000 deaths per year in children under 5 years of age [ii]. This trend is reflected regionally, where RSV infections are the leading cause of acute respiratory tract infections in young children, typically peaking during the winter months or the rainy season in humid countries. Professor Hossam Al Tatari, Director of General Pediatrics and Pediatric Infectious Diseases Services at The Heart Medical Center, Al Ain, UAE said: 'RSV infection is very common, affecting almost all children within two years from birth. In adults and older, healthy children, RSV typically produces mild symptoms that mimic the common cold, but in the newborn babies below 6 months, and those otherwise immunocompromised, such as babies born prematurely, the infection can prove life-threatening. It is imperative that we explore every possible avenue to mitigate the risks associated with RSV, and take every step to prevent transmission, especially to the most vulnerable amongst us.' Highlighting the benefits of maternal immunization to newborns and immunocompromised infants, Dr Hammam Haridy, Senior Director Regional Medical & Scientific Affairs at Pfizer MERA said: 'Infections such as RSV, while potentially dangerous, are preventable with vaccination. Despite the significant impact of RSV in the region and across the globe, comprehensive and consistent region-wide surveillance and burden data across the Middle East and North Africa region are currently limited. Forums such as the Maternal Immunization Summit are therefore crucial to drive buy-in of healthcare providers in order to increase awareness and tackle vaccine hesitancy. By providing a platform via which stakeholders can connect and share data and insights, we can drive the conversation around maternal vaccination, ensuring we make best use of available data in our interactions.' Both the World Health Organization and the Strategic Group of Experts on Immunization recommend countries adopt measures to prevent severe RSV in infants [iii], with decisions on whether to use maternal immunization or monoclonal antibodies dependent upon a number of factors. Emphasizing the need for collaboration between the medical community and vaccine developers to ensure maximum success in prevention, Merih Cetinkaya, Professor of Pediatrics, Health Sciences University and Head of Neonatology at Basaksehir Cam Sakura, City Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey, said: 'Communicable diseases such as RSV have considerable impact on neonatal health, affecting both our populations and our healthcare systems, and vaccinations remain a cornerstone in lessening this impact. As healthcare providers, we share responsibility with stakeholders across the healthcare landscape to understand such diseases, to leverage innovation and technology, and to ensure equitable access to life-saving vaccines, especially for the most vulnerable members of our communities.' During the event, Pfizer underscored its ongoing commitment to shaping the future of public health through the power of vaccines. Over the years, Pfizer's vaccines have played a vital role in preventing, controlling, and in some cases nearly eradicating infectious diseases, safeguarding millions of lives around the world and across the MERA region. As a leader in biopharmaceutical innovation, the company remains deeply invested in research and development, driving forward new solutions with the aim of enhancing patient outcomes and advancing global health. About Pfizer: Breakthroughs That Change Patients' Lives At Pfizer, we apply science and our global resources to bring therapies to people that extend and significantly improve their lives. We strive to set the standard for quality, safety, and value in the discovery, development, and manufacture of health care products, including innovative medicines and vaccines. Every day, Pfizer colleagues work across developed and emerging markets to advance wellness, prevention, treatments, and cures that challenge the most feared diseases of our time. Consistent with our responsibility as one of the world's premier innovative biopharmaceutical companies, we collaborate with health care providers, governments, and local communities to support and expand access to reliable, affordable health care around the world. For more than 150 years, we have worked to make a difference for all who rely on us. We routinely post information that may be important to investors on our website at
Hi Dubai
13-05-2025
- Hi Dubai
UAE Leads Launch of Global Nursing Report with WHO in Regional Spotlight
The UAE has taken center stage in shaping the future of global healthcare by hosting the Eastern Mediterranean launch of the 'State of the World's Nursing 2025' report in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO). The virtual event, held by the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) and Emirates Health Services (EHS), brought together senior officials and health leaders from across the region. Unveiled in conjunction with International Nurses Day, the report presents a comprehensive review of the global nursing workforce and outlines strategic recommendations to tackle pressing challenges, including an anticipated shortfall of 4.1 million nurses by 2030. The findings reveal stark disparities, with 78% of nurses concentrated in countries serving only 49% of the global population. Dr. Mohammed Salim Al Olama, MoHAP Undersecretary, said the report provides a forward-looking roadmap to strengthen nursing across the region. He highlighted the UAE's continued leadership since contributing to the first SoWN report in 2020, noting that its national strategy for nursing and midwifery is aligned with global standards and underpinned by innovation and advanced technologies. Dr. Yousif Mohamed AlSerkal, Director-General of EHS, emphasized the UAE's commitment to empowering nurses and ensuring sustainable, high-performing healthcare systems. He said the UAE's involvement reflects its long-term investment in healthcare talent and its role in driving regional and global progress. Dr. Sumaya Al Blooshi, head of the National Committee for Nursing and Midwifery, called the UAE's hosting of the launch a testament to its efforts in building a modern, institutional framework for the profession. The report also underscores the urgent need for policy reforms and international cooperation to ensure equitable healthcare access worldwide. News Source: Emirates News Agency
Al Etihad
12-05-2025
- Al Etihad
Abu Dhabi nurses share why their work goes far beyond hospital walls
13 May 2025 01:19 SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)Every year on May 12, the world celebrates International Nurses Day to honour their contributions and highlight their irreplaceable role in the world of healthcare. The date marks the birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, whose legacy continues to inspire caregivers its introduction in 1965 by the International Council of Nurses (ICN), the day has become a global call to value the nursing profession, which serves as a pillar of healthcare and a foundation for healthier, more resilient the occasion of International Nurses Day, nurses in Abu Dhabi shared with Aletihad what their profession means to Sara Alkuwaiti, a nurse at Imperial College London Diabetes Centre, nursing is about rebuilding trust, being a source of comfort and guidance, and reassuring every patient that they are in safe hands.'Being a nurse is not just a profession — it is a lifelong commitment to care, compassion, and community. I'm proud to serve my country by supporting patients on their journey to better health every day,' she told Alhammadi, a nurse at HealthPlus, echoed the sentiment. To Alhammadi, every patient interaction is both a responsibility and a privilege, rooted in dignity, personal care, and compassion.'Nursing allows me to make a difference in people's lives, one patient at a time. As an Emirati nurse, I feel honoured to represent the strength and empathy of our nation's caregivers,' she told Strengthen EconomiesThis year's theme, 'Our Nurses. Our Future. Caring for nurses strengthens economies', serves as a reminder that supporting nurses is not only essential for patient care but also for the strength and stability of national economies. In its latest report, the ICN said that 'investing in employee health could unlock $11.7 trillion in global economic returns'. The report also cited research showing that a 1% increase in nurse density correlates with a 0.02% increase in life expectancy. And with each additional year of life expectancy, countries exhibited a corresponding 2.4% increase in economic both the ICN and the WHO warn in their reports of a worsening global nursing shortage. The WHO came out with its latest 'State of World's Nursing' report on Monday, with the UAE chairing its launch in the Eastern Mediterranean region. According to the report, the world was already short by approximately 5.8 million nurses in 2023, and by 2030, 89% of the shortage will be borne by low- and lower-middle-income ICN report added that an additional 30 million nurses will be required to meet future healthcare demands.'We cannot and would not want to envision a world without nurses. We must take action to diminish the threats to safe, supportive, and healthy working conditions that will attract future nurses and retain the dedicated nurses who are key to healthier communities, responsive societies, thriving economies, and powerful nations,' Dr. Pamela Cipriano, ICN President, said in the response, the ICN has put forward its 'Caring for Nurses Agenda', a seven-point action plan addressing urgent areas such as fair pay, safe staffing levels, workplace safety, career progression, and mental health support. Meanwhile, the WHO called on countries to scale up the nursing workforce 'by expanding education and training capacity, increasing jobs for nurses in the health system, improving working conditions and strengthening leadership and governance'.
