UAE cuts prices of 168 medicines for chronic diseases by up to 60 per cent

Price reductions range from 5% to nearly 60% for some high-cost vital, biologic medicines Last updated: May 26, 2026 | 13:38 4 MIN READ The decision includes multiple types of medications in varying dosages, all of which will be sold to the public at the newly revised prices. (For illustrative purposes only.) The Emirates Drug Establishment has issued a new decision to reduce the retail prices of 168 pharmaceutical products across the UAE, covering a wide range of chronic and critical illnesses, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, hypertension, cancer, thrombosis and stroke, cholesterol disorders, gastrointestinal diseases, psychological and neurological disorders, eye diseases, and asthma. The decision, which will come into effect at the end of the current month (May 30), includes multiple types of medications in varying dosages, all of which will be sold to the public at the newly revised prices. Get updated faster and for  FREE : Download the  Gulf News  app now - simply  click here . Pharmacies across the UAE’s emirates and cities have already reflected clear differences between current and revised prices, with reductions varying according to therapeutic category. Discounts range from approximately 5% to nearly 60% for some high-cost vital and biologic medicines. The decision recorded a price cut of approximately 59.5% for Zocor 40 mg, used to lower cholesterol levels, while Xalatan, prescribed to treat elevated intraocular pressure in glaucoma patients, ranked second with a reduction of approximately 51.7%. Significant reductions in high-cost vital and biologic medicines The decision recorded the highest reductions in prices of expensive biologic and vital medicines, including oncology drugs and advanced lung cancer treatments. Leading the list was Alunbrig 180 mg, whose price dropped from Dh26,433 to Dh21,108. Alunbrig 90 mg was reduced from Dh19,824 to Dh12,520, while Alunbrig 30 mg declined from Dh6,608 to Dh4,173. In addition, Xeloda 150 mg, used to treat breast, colon, and rectal cancers, fell from Dh347 to Dh241, reflecting one of the largest reductions among all therapeutic categories. Cardiovascular treatments In detail, the Emirates Drug Establishment issued Decision No. (12) of 2026 regarding the reduction of prices for selected medical products. The measure covers 168 pharmaceutical products in different formulations and therapeutic forms targeting a broad range of chronic and critical illnesses. The decision specifically targeted the reduction of costs for advanced therapies prescribed to patients suffering from chronic heart failure. This was reflected in the reduced prices of the Verquvo family of medications in different dosages. Verquvo 2.5 mg will now retail at Dh244 compared to Dh257 previously, while the higher dose Verquvo 10 mg will cost Dh474.50 instead of Dh499.50. Diabetes medications The decision also introduced notable reductions for Type 2 diabetes medications based on glipizide alone or combined with metformin. This includes Amaryl 1 mg, now priced at Dh19 instead of Dh25, and Amaryl 2 mg at Dh32 compared to Dh39.50 previously. Higher dosages such as Amaryl 3 mg also saw reductions, declining from Dh57.50 to Dh47.50. Hypertension medications and combinations Blood pressure medications, including single, dual, and triple-combination therapies, accounted for a major portion of the reductions. Renitec 10 mg now costs Dh48 instead of Dh64, while Renitec 20 mg has been reduced from Dh83 to Dh62. Aprovel 150 mg dropped to Dh63.50 from Dh99.50, and Aprovel 300 mg to Dh85 from Dh117. The reductions also included Lercadip 10 mg, now priced at Dh56.50 instead of Dh59.50, Lercadip 20 mg at Dh89 instead of Dh98, and SEVIKAR 20/5 mg, which declined from Dh112 to Dh93. Cancer treatments and oncology medicines Cancer medications witnessed substantial reductions due to their high biologic therapeutic value and use in lung cancer treatment. Leading the category was Alunbrig 180 mg, containing the active ingredient Brigatinib and prescribed for advanced non-small cell lung cancer, with its new approved price set at Dh21,108 instead of Dh26,433. Alunbrig 30 mg was reduced to Dh4,173.50 from Dh6,608, while Alunbrig 90 mg dropped from Dh19,824 to Dh12,520. The decision also reduced the price of Xeloda 150 mg, used in treating breast, colon, and rectal cancers, from Dh347 to Dh241. Stroke and blood clot prevention The decision focused on reducing prices of modern anticoagulants and blood thinners, which play a vital role in protecting patients—particularly those with atrial fibrillation or undergoing joint replacement surgeries—from venous thrombosis and sudden strokes. Pradaxa 110 mg was reduced to Dh198 from Dh220, while Pradaxa 150 mg dropped to Dh394.50 instead of Dh438.50. Cholesterol medications The decision also covered long-term lipid-lowering and cholesterol-reducing medications, introducing a unified reduced price for all doses of Simvastatin under the Zocor brand. Zocor 10 mg, Zocor 20 mg, and Zocor 40 mg will now all retail at Dh67.50 per pack, compared to previous prices of Dh83.50, Dh91.50, and Dh166.50 respectively. Gastrointestinal treatments Proton pump inhibitors used to treat stomach ulcers were also included in the approved reductions. PARIET 20 mg now costs Dh47.50 instead of Dh75. The decision further updated prices for pediatric and infant biologic treatments, particularly those used for acute gastroenteritis and diarrhea management to prevent dehydration and accelerate recovery. Hidrasec Children 30 mg granules are now priced at Dh42 per pack of 16 sachets, while Hidrasec Infants 10 mg has been reduced to Dh43 from Dh50. Psychological and neurological disorders The decision introduced substantial reductions for biologic treatments used in managing chronic psychiatric and neurological disorders, led by Invega (Paliperidone), prescribed as an extended-release treatment for schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorders. Invega 3 mg is now priced at Dh381.50 compared to Dh449.50 previously, while Invega 6 mg is available at the same Dh381.50 instead of Dh562. Invega 9 mg witnessed a major reduction from Dh843 to Dh416. The decision also included Zeldox (Ziprasidone Hydrochloride), used for acute and chronic schizophrenia treatment. Zeldox 20 mg now costs Dh203 instead of Dh272, Zeldox 40 mg is Dh214.50 instead of Dh286, Zeldox 60 mg is Dh214 instead of Dh286, while the highest dose, Zeldox 80 mg, was reduced to Dh300 from Dh389. Eye care and asthma treatments The decision covered eye medications aimed at preventing glaucoma and reducing elevated eye pressure to protect the optic nerve. This included GANFORT eye drops, now priced at Dh99.50 instead of Dh114, Combigan eye drops at Dh78.50 instead of Dh94, and Xalatan 0.005%, based on latanoprost, reduced to Dh43 from Dh89. The decision also covered advanced biologic asthma and immunology treatments, including inhalers. Prices were reduced for biologic injections prescribed for severe eosinophilic asthma cases unresponsive to conventional therapies. This included Nucala 100 mg (Mepolizumab), whose public price for both the vial and pre-filled syringe forms was unified at Dh5,142 instead of Dh6,212.50. Key highlights The decision includes reductions in the cost of advanced therapies prescribed for patients with chronic heart muscle failure. Xalatan, used to treat elevated eye pressure in glaucoma patients, recorded a 51.7% price reduction. The decision focused on reducing prices of modern anticoagulants and blood thinners that help protect patients from thrombosis and stroke risks. Also In This Package Abdullah Rashid Al Hammadi is an accomplished Emirati journalist with over 45 years of experience in both Arabic and English media. He currently serves as the Abu Dhabi Bureau Chief fo Gulf News. Al Hammadi began his career in 1980 with Al Ittihad newspaper, where he rose through the ranks to hold key editorial positions, including Head of International News, Director of the Research Center, and Acting Managing Editor. A founding member of the UAE Journalists Association and a former board member, he is also affiliated with the General Federation of Arab Journalists and the International Federation of Journalists. Al Hammadi studied Information Systems Technology at the University of Virginia and completed journalism training with Reuters in Cairo and London. During his time in Washington, D.C., he reported for Alittihad and became a member of the National Press Club. From 2000 to 2008, he wrote the widely read Dababees column, known for its critical take on social issues. Throughout his career, Al Hammadi has conducted high-profile interviews with prominent leaders including UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and key Arab figures such as the late Yasser Arafat and former presidents of Yemen and Egypt. He has reported on major historical events such as the Iran-Iraq war, the liberation of Kuwait, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the establishment of the Palestinian Authority. His work continues to shape and influence journalism in the UAE and the wider Arab world. Get Updates on Topics You Choose Up Next