The UAE has made global medical history by becoming the first country to approve Baxfendy, a new blood pressure medication developed by AstraZeneca, marking a significant milestone in the treatment of resistant hypertension.
The Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE) granted approval for Baxfendy, which contains the active substance baxdrostat and is available in 1 mg and 2 mg doses. The drug is indicated as an add-on therapy for patients whose blood pressure remains inadequately controlled despite existing treatments.
Unlike conventional antihypertensives, Baxfendy works by inhibiting an enzyme responsible for aldosterone production, targeting the underlying mechanism of the disease rather than managing symptoms alone. This makes it particularly relevant for patients with resistant hypertension who have not responded to standard treatment options.
The approval was supported by results from two Phase III clinical trials, BaxHTN and Bax24, which demonstrated statistically significant reductions in uncontrolled blood pressure when the drug was used alongside standard therapies.
Dr. Fatima Al Kaabi, Director-General of the EDE, described the approval as a meaningful step toward enabling advanced medical solutions that target specific disease pathways, especially in cases where traditional options fall short.
Sameh El Fangary, Gulf Country President at AstraZeneca, said the approval reflects strong confidence in the scientific evidence supporting the therapy and expressed the company's commitment to expanding patient access to pharmaceutical innovations across the UAE.
The EDE said the approval aligns with national health priorities to build a resilient pharmaceutical ecosystem, strengthen healthcare preparedness, and ensure sustainable availability of innovative treatments that improve patient outcomes and overall community wellbeing.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
