The Ministry of Health and Prevention, MoHAP, has recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Sanofi Aventis Group and Axios Health Education Services, under which MoHAP will launch a new initiative entitled “Ea’nah” (Support) for patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS) and Relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), patients with moderate to severe eczema (atopic dermatitis), and patients with some cases of severe asthma.
With the aim of improving the outcomes of patient treatment and their commitment to the prescribed medicines, the new initiative will provide financially troubled patients with no or limited insurance with appropriate medicines to ensure their permanent access to the treatment.
The MoU was signed at MoHAP headquarters by HE Dr. Amin Hussein Al Amiri, Assistant Undersecretary of Public Health Policy and Licensing at the Ministry of Health and Prevention, Jean-Paul Scheuer, Country Chair and General Manager, Sanofi, and Anas Nofal Al-Safarini, Executive Director for the Middle East and North Africa, Axios Health Education Services.
Responding to Patients’ Aspirations
Speaking on the new initiative, Dr. Ruqaya Al Bastaki, Director of MoHAP’s Drug Department, said: “The MoU comes as part of MoHAP’s strategies and objectives to adopt the international standards of patients’ treatment and in response to their aspirations, as well as to achieve a sustainable partnership with all parties concerned with patient care, securing their needs, and enabling their access to innovative recovery solutions.”
“Also, this agreement is forming real support for patients with MS, atopic dermatitis, and severe asthma, especially for those who are not covered by an insurance scheme or whose insurance is not covering their treatment,” she concluded.
The patient’s journey in the program starts after being diagnosed by a licensed specialist and after the prescription of his treatment. If the patient faces financial hurdles that might hinder his ability to comply with his treatment, the physician can refer him to the program that will be executed by Axios. Patient will be treated with full transparency and his personal data will remain confidencial. Axios will facilitate the communication between the parties involved, including charity organizations, charity organizations, as well as the Ministry of Health and Prevention and Sanofi.
Supporting MoHAP’s Efforts
For his part, Jean-Paul Scheuer said: At Sanofi, our responsibility includes establishing meaningful partnerships to help improve patients’ access to healthcare. Currently, there is a number of multiple sclerosis, atopic dermatitis, and severe asthma patients in the UAE who face cost as a barrier to completing or adhering to their treatment. Together with the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention and Axios, at Sanofi, we are delighted to partner for EAANA, which aims to support medically and financially eligible patients to be able to have access to the treatment they need”
In turn, Anas Nofal Al-Safarini expressed his appreciation for the initiative as it supports patients and meets their aspirations in terms of providing essential medicines, emphasizing Axios’s commitment to bolstering MoHAP’s efforts in providing medicines for the eligible patients.
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