Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS): US-approved treatments and how families in the Gulf can access them

Reviewed by the Reserve Meds clinical operations team on 17 October 2026.

What is focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS)?

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is scar tissue in the glomeruli, the filtering units of the kidney. Focal means that some of the glomeruli become scarred while others stay normal. Segmental means only part of each affected glomerulus is damaged.^[1]

The cause is often unknown. FSGS affects both children and adults. It can cause foamy urine from protein loss, swelling and weight gain, and it can lead to kidney failure over time.^[1]

Treatment aims to reduce protein in the urine and protect kidney function. In the US, one medicine is approved to reduce protein in the urine in some patients with FSGS.^{[1, 2]}

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) in the Gulf

Gulf studies include a nationwide analysis of pediatric chronic dialysis (2024), a retrospective study of pediatric kidney biopsies in Oman (2023), and a study of the impact of genetic testing in steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (2013).^{[3, 4, 5]}

We checked every medicine on this page against the full SFDA drugs list and the Abu Dhabi Department of Health drug code list on 17 October 2026. 0 of 1 were listed in Saudi Arabia and 1 of 1 in Abu Dhabi. The result for each medicine is shown below. A listing does not mean every hospital stocks the medicine, and federal UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman registers were not checked.^{[6, 7]}

US FDA-approved medicines for focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS)

Each medicine below is approved in the US for a specific group of patients. The wording summarizes the current US label. Your specialist decides whether any of them is right for the patient.

• Filspari (sparsentan)
  US FDA-approved for reducing protein in the urine in adults and children 8 years and older with FSGS without nephrotic syndrome, and slowing kidney function decline in IgA nephropathy. It is a tablet.^[2]
  Current US label version: 9 April 2026. Gulf registers: Saudi Arabia (SFDA drugs list): not found. Abu Dhabi (DoH drug code list): listed. Checked 17 October 2026. Federal UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman: not checked; we confirm for your country when you ask.^{[6, 7]}
  Country access guides: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar

How families in the Gulf can access treatment

If the medicine is listed in your country. Ask your specialist and the hospital about local supply first. A listing does not mean every hospital stocks the medicine, but it is usually the fastest route, and you may not need us.

If it is not registered. The usual legal route is a named-patient request: the treating hospital, on your specialist's written request, asks the national regulator for permission to import the medicine for one patient, using the US FDA approval as the reference. In Saudi Arabia the SFDA Special Access Program guidance covers these requests; in Bahrain, NHRA Circular 41 of 2020 sets the procedure. Other Gulf countries have their own procedures, which the hospital confirms.^{[8, 9]} Once approval is in place, Reserve Meds arranges supply through a US-licensed pharmaceutical wholesale partner to the hospital.

Who does what

• Your treating specialist decides whether a medicine is right for the patient and writes the medical letter.
• The hospital checks local supply, files any import request, and gives the treatment safely.
• The national regulator decides whether to approve the import of a medicine that is not registered.
• The manufacturer decides where its medicine can be supplied, especially for cell and gene therapies.
• Reserve Meds helps organize records, coordinates US supply through our wholesale partner, shipping and updates to your family. We do not give medical advice.

Documents you will usually need

• A letter from the treating specialist with the diagnosis, past treatments and why this medicine is being considered
• Reports that confirm the diagnosis, such as genetic, pathology, imaging or laboratory results, translated into English where needed
• Recent clinic notes and a list of current medicines
• For a hospital import request: the prescription, the hospital's request form and the written consent of the patient or guardian
• Proof of the US FDA approval and the US prescribing information (we can supply these)

We give you a written timeline estimate for your case before you commit. The regulator, the hospital or treatment center and the manufacturer set their own timelines.

What treatment costs

Quote on request. Your total cost depends on the medicine, the dose, shipping, import steps and coordination. Your coordination fee is quoted in writing for your case before you commit. No hidden charges.

How Reserve Meds helps

Reserve Meds is a digital health company. Medicines are supplied through a US-licensed pharmaceutical wholesale partner. We help your doctor and hospital prepare the file, arrange US supply and temperature-controlled shipping once approval is in place, and keep your family updated. We coordinate access to FDA-approved medicines only. Investigational medicines are only available through a manufacturer's expanded-access program requested by the treating physician; we can explain that route, but we do not supply them.

Sources for the condition-specific answers: ^[2]

Related

• IgA nephropathy
• C3 glomerulopathy
• Chronic kidney disease
• Filspari: drug overview
• Named-patient access in the Gulf, explained
• US-approved medicines not yet registered in the Gulf
• Answers to common access questions
• Cross-border disclosures
• اقرأ هذه الصفحة بالعربية

This page is general health information, not medical advice. It does not replace a consultation with your doctor.