UAE to introduce device to combat type II diabetes

UAE, November 13, 2017 - The UAE will be the first country in the world after the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to introduce a device to treat high blood sugar type II. H.E. Dr. Amin Hussein Al Amiri, Assistant Undersecretary for Public Policy and Licensing of the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) said that the move comes under the Ministry’s plan to combat the risks associated with diabetes and provide the patients with latest global treatment systems. The UAE is one of the world's leading countries in the field of pharmaceuticals, and has developed innovative drugs to fight cancer, viral hepatitis, rheumatism, heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and other diseases. The UAE was the second or third in the world to register or include these drugs within its services after the adoption of international standards in medicine.

MOHAP has been coordinating with one of the largest French international companies, for the UAE to be the first country in the world to provide the latest medicines for the treatment of type II diabetes, once approved by the FDA, in January next year as expected.

The new medicine is a small device made of titanium in the size of matchmaker and is placed under the skin and under the chest for both men and women. It contains a micro pump that injects the daily dose necessary for the patient with type II diabetes regularly and lasts up to six months, and is expected to reach up to a period of 12 months in mid-2018. This drug is from a group GLP-1 RA in the body, which in turn urges the pancreas to pump insulin. The first drug of this group is not given by injection or pills.

Scientific research and global studies have proven the effectiveness of this drug in reducing blood sugar in addition to weight loss. Thus, this medicine will help type II diabetic patients to adhere to the daily therapeutic dose, which will help in controlling blood sugar levels and avoid complications caused by the disease.