Research-based medicine in the Gulf region has continued apace in 2008 with residents reaping the benefits of medicinal advances and rising standards of healthcare, according to an industry expert.
Advances in cardiovascular, pain management, and smoking cessation treatments, in particular, have been instrumental to improving the lives of patients in the region where heart disease, arthritis, diabetic nerve pain, and smoking are highly prevalent.
“Research-based medicine has played a fundamental role in discovering sustainable solutions to the health challenges people face in the Gulf region,” said Dr. Ahmed El Hakim, Director of External Affairs and Policy with Pfizer Middle East.
The world’s largest research-based pharmaceutical company – Pfizer – has approximately 85,000 employees in more than 150 countries who discover, develop, manufacture and deliver quality, safe and effective prescription medicines to patients.
“We are committed to being a global leader in health care and to helping change millions of lives for the better through providing access to safe, effective and affordable medicines and related health care services to the people who need them,” added Dr. El Hakim.
Responsible for the largest pipeline in the pharmaceutical industry, which focuses on medical needs spanning 10 therapeutic areas, Pfizer invests more than USD7 billion annually in research and development of new products across more therapeutic areas than any other company.
Among the treatments available in the region are Champix (smoking cessation), Celebrex (pain management), and Lipitor (heart disease).
Champix is a breakthrough treatment which has already helped around 6 million smokers to quit worldwide. It is a non-nicotine agent and the first new treatment approved for smoking cessation in nearly a decade.
In clinical trials involving patients with acute injuries in the knee, ankle, shoulder, and lower back, Celebrex has shown to be a powerful treatment in preventing pain and inflammation.
Lipitor is the first cholesterol-lowering medication to receive FDA approval for the reduction of the risk of hospitalization for heart failure.
“As well as focusing of new research, Pfizer continues to work with regional government and health authorities on the issues surrounding counterfeit medicines and how to prevent illegal drugs reaching the Middle East market which endanger the lives of people in the region,” added Dr. El Hakim.
