United Arab Emirates

January 16, 2007

Doctors battling diabetes across the Middle East have welcomed the decision by the UAE Ministry of Health (MoH) to approve the registration of an insulin inhalation medication, being considered a revolution in the treatment of the disease. 

Diabetics have traditionally used insulin injections to control their illness. 
Recent studies show that a fear of or a reluctance to use needles makes sufferers delay treatment of diabetes by an average of four years, leading to complications such as heart disease, kidney failure or even blindness. 

With the arrival of Exubera, manufactured by Pfizer, diabetics in the UAE will be able to use the insulin inhalation dry powder and avoid the inconvenience of regular and often painful injections.

The registration of Exubera was approved this month after it was examined by the Ministry’s Higher Drugs Registration Committee.

Pfizer has also welcomed the timely approval of the new medication, which has been hailed as one of the biggest steps forward since the discovery of insulin in 1922 by doctors who treat diabetes. 

“Many diabetics have to make the procedure of self-administering insulin by injection a major part of their daily routine out of necessity rather than convenience or choice. The approval of an insulin inhaler which can be administered in a matter of seconds will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the lives of diabetics,” said Dr Ahmed Al Hakim, External Affairs and Policy Director for the Pfizer Middle East.