Covid-19: Abu Dhabi becomes first location to receive new medicine for high-risk patients

Abu Dhabi has secured the distribution of AstraZeneca’s AZD7442 in the UAE, a new medication to protect immunocompromised patients against Covid-19.

The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), in collaboration with UAE’s Rafed, has announced the procurement of the AstraZeneca medicine. Rafed will facilitate its procurement, storage, and distribution through the Rafed Distribution Centre.

The new medication, which will be distributed to healthcare providers once approved for local use, is designed to prevent severe infection and death in non-vaccinated high-risk patients, Abu Dhabi Government Media Office reported.

The agreement has placed the UAE amongst the first group of countries to receive the antibody medication for immunocompromised patients, a statement said. Its signing follows a declaration made by DoH and AstraZeneca to collaborate in the areas of innovation, clinical research, real world evidence generation and digital health.

#AbuDhabi the first to receive a new medication to protect immunocompromised patients against Covid-19, supporting efforts to protect all members of the community in Abu Dhabi. pic.twitter.com/pRsSsJZMrZ

— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@admediaoffice) November 3, 2021

Dr. Jamal Mohammed Alkaabi, undersecretary of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, said: “The public-private partnership behind AZD7442, the world’s first long-acting antibody with Phase III data demonstrating benefit in both prophylaxis and treatment of Covid-19, is yet another example of the UAE’s successful pandemic response thus far.”

“When approved, this medication will help immunocompromised patients who could not receive the vaccine due to medical reasons and limiting autoimmune disorders.”

AstraZeneca’s AZD7442 protect high-risk and immunocompromised patients that are unable to receive a vaccine and protects symptomatic Covid-19 for up to 12 months after one dose delivered through intramuscular injection or intravenous drip.

— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@admediaoffice) November 3, 2021

Rashed Al Qubaisi, CEO of Rafed, added: “AZD7442 brings great hope to patients with various immune disorders that are not able to take the Covid-19 vaccine. Through our strategic logistics partner network, Rafed is establishing an infrastructure to ensure a streamlined distribution across the UAE and potentially the Middle East and Africa.”

Abu Dhabi was also the first place globally to receive the anti-viral treatment for Covid-19, Sotrovimab.

Read: Abu Dhabi becomes first location to receive new Covid-19 medication