• The expert forum focuses on three key respiratory disease areas: Asthma, Severe Asthma, and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Dubai, United Arab Emirates – Global science-led UK healthcare company GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), recently held an expert forum on the management of respiratory diseases in Dubai. The forum is the first in a global series of expert forums to explore the current diagnosis and management landscape of chronic pulmonary diseases, such as Asthma, Severe Asthma, and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). 

During the event, 28 pulmonologists based in the region, three global experts and GSK medical leaders came together to co-create RespiVerse, an advanced training programme on the management of respiratory diseases. Experts honed the current landscape in disease management, key challenges, and gaps in diagnosis, as well as discussed insights and best practice on emerging pharmacological approaches. 

RespiVerse, which will be rolled out globally in the form of regional masterclasses, aims to upskill over a large number of healthcare professionals across the UAE and the wider Middle East and Africa region, and over 400 doctors in total from 12 countries within the broader MENA region. During these regional masterclasses, doctors will be trained to become trainers in their respective market, with the aim of ultimately reaching and upskilling over 40,000 doctors by 2023. 

Asthma, COPD, and other respiratory diseases pose a major health threat to people in the Middle East as  an alarming number of cases have risen in the last few decades due to environmental factors such as climate changes, social factors such as smoking, and the spread of infections . Asthma is the most prevalent respiratory condition in the UAE, affecting over 13 percent of the population , leading  to a high number of costs dedicated to its treatment.

Gizem Akalin, Vice President and General Manager for GSK Gulf, said: “Help managing respiratory diseases, such as asthma, in the UAE is one of our top priorities here at GSK Gulf, as part of the UAE Government’s vision to improve healthcare in the country within all fields and for all diseases. As such, we are as ever committed to growing our presence in the region, particularly the UAE, contributing to improving the quality of healthcare, and promoting a better and healthier life for its residents.”

The expert forum in the UAE included in-depth discussions about the relevant topics concerning the standards of care of respiratory patients, recent trends in treatment protocols, and pharmacological approaches – such as precision medicine and proactive regular dosing (PRD), among others – which are changing the mindsets of many pulmonary experts with regards to making treatment decisions and managing chronic respiratory diseases.

RespiVerse provides a communication channel for pulmonary experts across Emerging Markets to share their clinical insights on the relevant issues impacting the treatment decisions, diagnosis and management, as well as the upcoming pharmacological modalities and approaches that are transforming the way pulmonologists address the gaps in the management of respiratory diseases for better health outcomes for patients.

Dan Millard, Vice President General Medicines of Emerging Markets at GSK, said: “I would like to personally thank all pulmonologists participating in the RespiVerse programme. Through this programme, GSK aims to benefit the patients and the healthcare community, disseminate the expertise that we have gathered to other countries, and improve the treatment and management of respiratory issues across the wider medical community. It was very important for us to start in the UAE as it is one of our priority markets due to the country’s current position as the healthcare hub of the Middle East.”

For over 50 years, GSK has pushed the frontiers of respiratory science, improving the lives of millions of patients with asthma and COPD. As a leader in the respiratory therapeutic field  , GSK reaffirms its commitment through the RespiVerse programme to improve the quality of life of millions of patients with respiratory conditions. Through RespiVerse, GSK aims to strengthen the partnership and collaboration with pulmonologists and other respiratory experts from across 12 countries in Emerging Markets, including the UAE, and uplift the standard of care of patients suffering from chronic respiratory diseases. 

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About GSK

GSK is a science-led global healthcare company on a mission to research, develop, manufacture and market innovative medicines and vaccines to unite science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together. GSK has a 300-year global legacy, and for more than 65 years has been operating, employing and investing in the Gulf Cooperation Council region. For more info, please visit Home | GSK.  

Media Enquiries:
Maria Khalil
Communications Manager, GSK Gulf
Maria.E.Khalil@gsk.com
Tala Al Otaibi
Hill+Knowlton Strategies
tala.alotaibi@hkstrategies.com