Adults with a rare blood disorder that causes the body to produce too many red blood cells may require fewer blood-removal procedures following the approval of a new medicine in the UAE.

The Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE) has approved MIMRYLO, scientifically known as rusfertide, for the treatment of adults with polycythaemia vera. According to the authority, the UAE is the second country in the world to authorise the treatment.

Polycythaemia vera causes the body to produce more red blood cells than it needs. The increased cell count thickens the blood, raising the risk of blood clots and other complications.

One common way to manage the condition is to regularly remove a quantity of blood from the patient to reduce red blood cell levels. Known as therapeutic phlebotomy, the procedure may need to be repeated depending on the patient’s condition.

MIMRYLO helps control the overproduction of red blood cells by regulating how the body uses iron. Takeda said clinical trial results showed that the medicine helped control red blood cell levels, reduce the need for blood removal and ease fatigue among patients.

The approval gives doctors another treatment option for adults with the condition. However, the UAE announcement did not specify when the medicine would become available to patients, its price in the domestic market or whether it would be covered by insurance.

A new treatment option

Dr Fatima Al Kaabi, Director-General of the Emirates Drug Establishment, said the approval reflected the authority’s commitment to giving patients access to advanced treatments through a scientific assessment process that prioritises patient safety.

She said this was particularly important for rare diseases, as some patients continue to face limited treatment options. Timely and swift regulatory decisions can help improve medical care and deliver better treatment outcomes, she added.

Hernan Porcel, Takeda’s Regional General Manager for the Middle East and Türkiye, said the approval marked an important milestone for people living with polycythaemia vera. He also highlighted the Emirates Drug Establishment’s role in facilitating access to new treatments.

The medicine is supplied in single-dose vials containing a powder that must be prepared before use. The Emirates Drug Establishment said it should be prescribed and administered under the supervision of a healthcare provider experienced in managing the condition.

The authority urged patients to follow their prescribed treatment plans carefully and attend regular medical follow-up appointments to better manage the condition.