The United Arab Emirates has approved an oral treatment for non-segmental vitiligo, giving eligible adults and adolescents aged 12 and above a new option for managing the condition.
The Emirates Drug Establishment has approved a new indication for RINVOQ (upadacitinib) for patients with non-segmental vitiligo who require systemic treatment, meaning medicines that work throughout the body. The drug is taken once daily.
The approval gives UAE patients access to an oral systemic therapy for non-segmental vitiligo, the most common form of the condition. The European Commission also approved RINVOQ for the same indication in July 2026, making it the first systemic medicine approved for non-segmental vitiligo in the European Union.
Vitiligo is a chronic condition in which areas of the skin lose their normal pigment, producing white patches. It occurs when melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing melanin, are destroyed. An autoimmune response is considered an important factor, although the precise causes are not fully understood.
The condition is not contagious and can affect different parts of the body. It may be more visible in people with darker skin, but not every white patch is caused by vitiligo. Medical assessment is therefore important to confirm the diagnosis and determine the most appropriate treatment.
Treatment options can vary depending on the type, extent and activity of the disease. Existing approaches include topical medicines, phototherapy and other specialist treatments. The UAE approval adds an oral systemic option for patients whose condition requires treatment beyond local therapies.
The decision is also supported by clinical trial data. In Phase 3 Viti-Up studies, upadacitinib 15mg taken once daily produced statistically significant improvements in both total-body and facial repigmentation at 48 weeks compared with placebo.
The Emirates Drug Establishment said the approval reflects the UAE’s efforts to strengthen its pharmaceutical sector, respond quickly to scientific advances and improve access to innovative medicines.
The authority also urged people who develop unexplained changes in skin colour to seek advice from a qualified specialist. Early medical assessment can help confirm whether the changes are caused by vitiligo and allow doctors to determine the most suitable treatment.
The approval comes as regulators in major markets continue to expand treatment options for vitiligo. The European Medicines Agency’s scientific committee issued a positive opinion for RINVOQ in June, recommending its use for adults and adolescents aged 12 and older with non-segmental vitiligo who are candidates for systemic therapy.
The UAE decision adds another treatment option for patients and marks a further step in the country’s efforts to make newer medicines available through its regulatory system.
