UAE becomes the third country to approve Foundayo for type 2 diabetes treatment

The UAE is preparing to become the first country to approve a new oral treatment for vitiligo. This was announced by Dr. Ayman Alnaim, President of the Emirates Dermatology Society, during the opening of the 10th Conference of the Medical Association of the Emirates Dermatology Department, held on Friday, November 6.

The event is taking place at the InterContinental Dubai–Festival City hotel and is gathering over 500 doctors and specialists from around the world. Over three days, participants will study the latest advancements in dermatology, including the application of artificial intelligence, clinical imaging, and new therapeutic methods.

Vitiligo is a skin condition that causes a loss of skin color or pigment, making it lighter than its natural shade or causing whitening. It occurs when the body's immune system destroys melanocytes—skin cells that produce melanin, a chemical substance that gives skin its color or pigmentation.

In his welcoming speech, Dr. Alnaim noted that the conference will serve as a platform for the official launch of vitiligo treatment, as well as for announcing a range of new dermatological therapy methods, including the newest generation of biological agents for treating psoriasis and other diseases. This further strengthens the UAE's status as a global center for medical and pharmaceutical innovations.

He emphasized that the UAE is among the fastest countries in registering new drugs, providing patients with access to the most modern treatment methods. Furthermore, the country is one of the first in the world to use artificial intelligence technologies for diagnosing skin diseases such as psoriasis and skin cancer, and it also uses lasers to treat vascular moles, pigmentation, and benign tumors.

Dr. Alnaim stated: 'We are proud to host this scientific event in the United Arab Emirates, which continues to strengthen its position as a leading destination for innovation, knowledge exchange, and excellence in the healthcare sector.'

This year's conference agenda will cover a wide range of topics, including skin aging, eczema—one of the most common conditions, acne, skin cancer, and infectious and inflammatory skin diseases. Innovations in dermatology, such as AI applications, clinical imaging, and groundbreaking treatment approaches, will also be presented.

The National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) has granted approval for the tablet version of Wegovy (semaglutide), a medication developed by Novo Nordisk. This launch represents the first oral drug of the GLP-1 agonist class authorized in the country to treat both obesity and overweight.

This new formulation allows for once-daily administration at a dosage of 25 mg, offering an alternative to the weekly injection administered with a pen. The authorization was formalized in the Official Gazette of the Union after the pharmaceutical company submitted the request on January 30th of this year.

Semaglutide works by mimicking the action of GLP-1, a hormone secreted by the intestine after meals. This hormone sends a signal to the brain indicating food intake, which results in decreased hunger and delayed gastric emptying, promoting greater satiety.

The need for a higher dose in the oral route is due to the fact that part of the substance is degraded in the stomach before reaching the bloodstream. For this reason, the tablet requires 25 mg daily, contrasting with the weekly maintenance dose of 2.4 mg of the injectable version.

In a clinical study fundamental to the approval, published in the scientific journal The New England Journal of Medicine, participants who used the tablet registered an average weight loss of 13.6% over 64 weeks. In comparison, the placebo group showed only a 2.2% reduction, demonstrating that the result approaches that obtained with the injectable version.

With the inclusion of Wegovy in tablet form, Brazil now has two oral forms of Novo Nordisk's semaglutide available, although with different indications. While the new medication is aimed at obesity and overweight, Rybelsus is used in the management of type 2 diabetes.

However, the availability of Wegovy in tablets in Brazilian pharmacies is still conditional upon the definition of its price. Novo Nordisk has communicated that the value has not yet been determined and plans to bring the medication to the national market during the next quarter.

The National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) ordered the withdrawal of all batches of the Bentô Gelatos Magnesium + Inositol Relief 3.0 popsicle and completely suspended its commercialization, distribution, production, advertising, and use.

This action was motivated by the absence of a safety assessment regarding the use of melatonin and inositol in common foods, such as ice cream. The determination was formalized in the Official Gazette of the Union (DOU) on Monday, the 26th, and affects the item produced by the company ABB Gelateria Ltda.

The agency clarified that both substances are authorized for use in food supplements but are not permitted in foods, as is the case with the product in question. Regarding inositol, the resolution also allows its use in ready-to-drink liquid preparations.

However, the decision does not specify the amount of these substances present in the popsicle, nor does it provide information about identifying any health problems linked to the consumption of the product.

In a statement, the manufacturer informed that on the same day Anvisa released the measure, the product was removed from all its sales and promotional channels. The company stated that the item is not being sold and is no longer part of its menu.

The resolution mandates the total recall of the Bentô Gelatos Magnesium + Inositol Relief 3.0 batches, keeping all commercial, distributive, manufacturing, advertising, and usage activities of the product suspended. This measure is preventive in nature and came into effect on the date of the resolution's publication, citing relevant sanitary legislation concerning food safety and product regularization.

Anvisa did not detail in the text published in the DOU the volume of units sold nor confirmed whether the recall process has been finalized.

Bentô Gelatos (ABB Gelateria Ltda.) acknowledged Resolution-RE No. 4.189 from Anvisa, published in the Official Gazette of the Union on October 26, 2026, and is complying with the determination. The company reiterated that the product was removed from its sales and promotional channels on the same day of notification, and that it is not being marketed nor is it part of its current menu. The case is under the legal monitoring of the company.