Vifor Pharma, a leader in the discovery, development, manufacturing and marketing of pharmaceutical products for the treatment of iron deficiency, has opened its first office in Dubai, UAE, as part of its plans to expand its presence in the Middle East.

The firm will play a significant role in the region’s continuous efforts to address iron deficiency in the region, said a statement.

Medical specialists have defined iron deficiency as a frequently unrecognised and under-diagnosed condition that can add substantially to the burden of an underlying disease, it said.

Recent reports have shown that the prevalence of iron deficiency in Middle East countries is moderate to severe. The increased cases can be attributed to the Middle East’s ineffective iron fortification program, food interaction and hemoglobin application, which also act as anaemia indictors in these countries.

Vifor Pharma is committed to support patients with iron deficiency anaemia by developing innovative medicines that improve their lives.

Myriam Hakim, regional director - GCC, said: “We remain highly upbeat with the opening of our first office in the Middle East region—allowing us to tap into a market that represents many potential opportunities for us.

“Iron deficiency anaemia is a public health problem in the Middle East. As a global leader in the development, production and marketing of innovative products for the treatment of iron deficiency with or without anaemia, Vifor Pharma brings its commitment and vision to the Middle East—utilizing our medical expertise to make a difference in patient’s lives.”

Headquartered in Zurich, Vifor Pharma has a strong global presence with manufacturing sites in Switzerland and Portugal as well as a broad network of marketing affiliates and partners around the world, said the statement.

The company operates under four business units - Iron franchise; Vifor Fresenius Medical Care Renal Pharma; Infectious Diseases / OTX; and Consumer Healthcare. - TradeArabia News Service