AbbVie has launched the Rheumatology Academy of Continuous Education (RACE), a program especially designed to provide 25 rheumatology fellows in Saudi Arabia with additional training in rheumatic diseases on an annual basis.

The program, which AbbVie launched in cooperation with the Saudi Society for Rheumatology, has been designed and certified by Oxford University, home to one of the world’s top medical schools. Attendees will also be provided access to the EULAR online course on rheumatic diseases, as well as the 2015 EULAR Text Book.

Additionally, participants will receive an annual online subscription to ARD, which is considered the top medical journal in the field of rheumatology.

The program, which had its inaugural meeting on Jan. 9, continues for four modules. “RACE, without a doubt, is one of the most important developments in the study and treatment of Rheumatic diseases in Saudi Arabia for the next two years, at least,” commented Dr. Hussein Halabi, president of the Saudi Society for Rheumatology.

“It comprises a very important addition to the academic training of 25 doctors who have chosen to be specialized in rheumatology and thus will have a very positive impact on our patients’ care.”

The launch of the program was prompted by the importance of having highly trained rheumatologists in the Kingdom and the need for formal, specialized training in the field.

“We have designed this program for physicians. But the real benefits will come to those patients suffering from rheumatic diseases,” said Rami Fayed, GM of AbbVie in Saudi Arabia.

“This academic initiative follows AbbVie’s support for and participation in the first ‘Treat to Target Rheumatoid Arthritis -T2TRA’ workshops, which were held in Jeddah in March 2015, under the umbrella of the Saudi Society for rheumatology and organized by the Saudi T2T Steering Committee.”