According to a story from PR Newswire, the science and tech company Merck recently announced that Mavenclad (cladribine) was recently approved for public use by the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention for the treatment of high activity relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis in adult patients. This is the first time that the treatment has been approved in the Middle Eastern/African region. The Ministry has recently implemented an accelerated approval process so that critical treatments such as Mavenclad will be available to the public faster.
Multiple sclerosis is a condition in which the myelin sheath, an insulating cover that surrounds neurons, is damaged. The damage to the myelin sheath disrupts the ability of neurons to signal to one another. This problem can result in a host of symptoms, such as changes to sensation, loss of coordination, double vision, blindness in one eye, trouble walking, problems with speech and swallowing, pain, digestive problems, and fatigue. Mental health issues such as depression may also occur. Multiple sclerosis occurs as a progressively worsening experience of symptoms or episodes of pronounced symptoms followed by periods with almost none. Although it has been classed as an autoimmune disease, what causes the immune response is unknown. Multiple sclerosis patients generally live five to ten years shorter than the general population. To learn more about multiple sclerosis, click here.
Mavenclad is a short term, orally administered treatment that provides symptoms relief for a maximum of four years; the drug works by regulating the activity of B and T lymphocytes but does not result in continuous suppression of the immune system. However, patients may become temporarily more susceptible to infection while using Mavenclad. The drug was first approved for use in the EU in August 2017; however, the United States has yet to approve the medication.
