Boehringer Ingelheim launches pulmonary fibrosis awareness campaign in UAE

UAE—Boehringer Ingelheim has premiered a short film in Dubai to raise awareness of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and progressive pulmonary fibrosis (PPF), highlighting the importance of recognising symptoms early and improving access to appropriate care.

The premiere brought together respiratory and rheumatology specialists, including Dr Bassam Mahboub, Vice President of the Emirates Thoracic Society (ETS), and Dr Shamma Al Nokhatha, President of the Emirates Society for Rheumatology (ESR).

The campaign aims to help patients, families and healthcare professionals recognise signs of these progressive lung conditions.

IPF and PPF involve scarring of lung tissue, which progressively reduces lung function and makes breathing increasingly difficult.

The cause of IPF is unknown, while PPF can develop in people with other conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis.

Symptoms such as persistent dry cough, breathlessness and fatigue can be mistaken for ageing or poor physical fitness, potentially delaying medical assessment.

Although pulmonary fibrosis is considered rare, IPF and PPF together are estimated to affect up to 9.2 million people worldwide.

Studies suggest that diagnosis can take one to two years, highlighting the need for greater awareness and timely referral.

UAE campaign focuses on earlier recognition

Ousama Alhaj, General Manager and Head of Human Pharma at Boehringer Ingelheim for the Near East and UAE, said the company’s longstanding work in respiratory medicine underscored the importance of combining scientific advances with disease awareness and timely diagnosis.

He noted that recent developments in pulmonary fibrosis care in the UAE offered opportunities to improve disease management.

The campaign seeks to build on this progress by encouraging people to recognise persistent symptoms and seek medical advice while the company continues to support research and access to innovative treatments.

Dr Mahboub said pulmonary fibrosis care was moving towards earlier recognition, stronger multidisciplinary assessment and more timely intervention.

He emphasised that persistent breathlessness should prompt further investigation rather than be dismissed or attributed to reduced fitness.

Earlier recognition, he said, could help patients reach appropriate assessments and care pathways sooner.

Treatment advances reshape the care landscape

The awareness campaign follows the recent approval of a new treatment option for IPF and PPF in the UAE, according to the announcement.

The development comes after more than a decade without a new treatment demonstrating efficacy in IPF, marking a change in the treatment landscape for patients and clinicians.

The announcement did not identify the treatment or specify its approved indications.

These details are important because treatment availability and eligibility can differ between IPF and other forms of progressive pulmonary fibrosis.

For healthcare systems, earlier identification and referral may also help clinicians assess patients more promptly and coordinate care across respiratory medicine and related specialties.

Rheumatologists have a role in this process because some patients develop pulmonary fibrosis alongside autoimmune conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis.

Dr Al Nokhatha said future progress in pulmonary fibrosis care would depend on translating scientific developments into earlier recognition and better patient care pathways.

She highlighted the need to improve awareness among patients, families and healthcare professionals so that people with persistent symptoms can access appropriate assessment.

Boehringer Ingelheim builds on respiratory expertise

Boehringer Ingelheim has worked in respiratory medicine for more than a century, developing treatments for conditions including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pulmonary fibrosis.

The company continues to invest in respiratory research and development and pursue strategic collaborations aimed at advancing therapies for serious lung diseases.

Its latest awareness initiative places patient education alongside these activities, with a focus on helping people recognise symptoms and seek medical advice earlier.

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