Dubai - The UAE is one of the world's first countries to adopt this medicine after approval by the FDA.
Published: Fri 31 Jan 2020, 11:26 PM
This nasal spray could offer a cure for depression. The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) said it intends to license the drug Esketamine, in nasal spray form, to treat adults with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder.
The UAE is one of the world's first countries to adopt this medicine after approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the US and the European Medicines Agency.
A controlled medicine, Esketamine is prescribed to adults with "treatment-resistant major depressive disorder" under doctor supervision once a week or every two weeks.
Dr Youssif Al Serkal, Assistant Undersecretary for the Ministry's Hospitals Sector, said: "MoHAP will provide the latest psychiatric drugs approved by the FDA and European Medicines Agency."
He said the government is keen to promote mental health, rehabilitate and support people with mental illness, and educate healthcare practitioners in specialised hospitals.
Dr Kalthoum Al Baloushi, Director of MoHAP's Hospitals Administration, said Esketamine is an "innovative" drug. The patient can administer it himself through a nasal spray once every week. The patient should be under the supervision of a healthcare professional until his health condition stabilises based on clinical evaluation.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com
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