Wyeth Pharmaceuticals sponsored the Third Middle East Rheumatology summit, which concluded recently with firm commitments to improve the treatment of rheumatic diseases in the Middle East. The meeting attended by 75 Rheumatolgists from UAE, Saudi, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Lebanon, and Egypt aims to improve diagnosis and promote early aggressive treatment.
Professor Tahsin El-Hadidi, President of International League of Associations for Rheumatology, comments, “RA is a major disease crippling our society and continues to have a serious impact on the quality of life of sufferers across the Middle East. This meeting will improve awareness and further re-enforce the idea that living successfully with RA begins with education.”
The summit provided recommendations on the diagnosis and evaluation of RA patients and Dr Bassam Mostafa, Consultant Rheumatologist Bahrain Defense Force Hospital, comments, “The success of treating an RA patient relies on correct diagnosis and evaluation. Assessment tools and treatment guidelines are essential to make sure that patients continue to receive the best possible treatment.”
The meeting paid particular emphasis to a lesser-understood arthritic condition, ankylosing spondilitis (AS). Dr Bassam Mostafa, adds, “This condition, which when left undiagnosed can lead to serious spinal problems in adult life. AS is particularly prevalent among the older population, but there is a sudden increase in the number of children suffering from this serious bone condition.”
Professor Joern Kekow, Prof for Rheumatology, University of Magdeburg, Germany, examined achieving the ultimate treatment goal of remission, and adds, “There are numerous treatment options available to the physician which may result in remission. The role of biological medications in combination with other treatments are particularly successful in achieving this goal.”
The meeting included a series of hands-on workshops on the role of biological treatments in Juvenile Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis and cardiovascular complications in rheumatic diseases.
Wyeth is a global leader and research based company in prescription pharmaceuticals, non-prescription consumer health care products and pharmaceuticals for animal health. Wyeth Pharmaceuticals products are sold in more than 140 countries, and its product portfolio includes innovative treatments across a wide range of therapeutic areas. Wyeth’s worldwide resources include 52,000 employees, manufacturing facilities on four continents and a unique research and technology base encompassing small molecules, vaccines and biotechnology. With this depth of resources, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals will continue to lead the way in the development of novel therapies that address critical global health needs.
In 1963, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals opened an office in Egypt and two years later established itself in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the UAE. It expanded its regional presence to the UAE in 1995. In 2004 Wyeth Pharmaceuticals established its Middle East & North Africa affiliate in Dubai, UAE.
