UAE authorities have issued an urgent recall of two insecticide products marketed under the Goodbye All Insects brand after identifying multiple regulatory and safety concerns, including the presence of a prohibited substance in one of the products

The action was announced by the Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE), which said the recall forms part of its ongoing efforts to protect consumers and ensure that products available in the UAE market meet approved health, safety and regulatory standards.

The products affected by the recall are Goodbye All Insects Max Kills in One Spray and Goodbye All Insects Spray, both manufactured by SCITRA.

According to the EDE, investigations uncovered regulatory and technical violations linked to the sale and distribution of products that had not been officially registered with the authority. Registration is a key requirement designed to ensure that products undergo the necessary evaluation before reaching consumers.

Product does not comply with specifications

In addition to the registration issues, the authority found discrepancies in the concentration levels of active ingredients in one of the insecticides. Officials said the product did not comply with approved specifications or relevant international standards, raising concerns about quality and consistency.

More significantly, one of the recalled products was found to contain a prohibited substance. As a result, authorities ordered its immediate removal from the market to prevent further distribution and reduce any potential risk to public health.

The Emirates Drug Establishment said it is working closely with regulatory agencies and relevant authorities across the UAE to ensure the affected products are removed from retail stores, distribution channels and online marketplaces in accordance with established regulatory procedures.

Consumers urged to stop using products

Consumers who have already purchased either product have been strongly advised to stop using them immediately. Authorities also urged the public not to buy, sell or distribute the recalled products and to follow official guidance issued by relevant government entities.

The Emirates Drug Establishment reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, proactive risk management and rapid response measures when potential safety concerns are identified. Officials added that cooperation with local regulatory partners remains a key part of efforts to safeguard public health and ensure only safe, compliant products remain available in the UAE market.

Residents are encouraged to stay informed through official announcements and report any concerns regarding recalled or non-compliant products to the relevant authorities.

The Emirates Drug Establishment has announced a major reduction in the retail prices of 168 pharmaceutical products across the UAE, delivering significant savings on medications used to treat chronic and life-threatening illnesses.

The revised pricing decision will officially take effect on May 30 and covers a broad range of treatments, including medicines for heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, cancer, stroke prevention, cholesterol disorders, respiratory illnesses, neurological conditions, mental health disorders and eye diseases.

Pharmacies across the UAE have already begun updating their pricing systems ahead of implementation, with reductions varying depending on the type of medication and therapeutic category.

According to the new pricing structure, discounts range from around 5 per cent to nearly 60 per cent for some of the country’s most expensive vital and biologic medicines.

Lower price for cholesterol medicine

One of the biggest reductions applies to Zocor 40mg, a cholesterol-lowering drug whose price has been reduced by approximately 59.5 per cent. Meanwhile, Xalatan, used to treat elevated eye pressure in glaucoma patients, recorded a price cut of more than 51 per cent.

Several high-cost cancer and biologic treatments also saw major reductions under the new decision. The lung cancer medication Alunbrig 180mg was reduced from Dh26,433 to Dh21,108, while the 90mg version dropped from Dh19,824 to Dh12,520. The 30mg dosage also saw a significant reduction, falling from Dh6,608 to Dh4,173.

In another major adjustment, Xeloda 150mg, commonly prescribed for breast, colon and rectal cancer, was reduced from Dh347 to Dh241.

The latest move is expected to provide substantial relief for patients requiring long-term treatment, particularly those dependent on expensive speciality medications and biologic therapies.

Authorities in the UAE have reaffirmed the country’s readiness to respond to any emerging health developments, including situations linked to Ebola, as officials reviewed national preparedness systems and precautionary measures already in place.

The update came during a high-level meeting chaired by Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh under the supervision of the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority alongside the Ministry of Health and Prevention and strategic partners.

Focus on preparedness and monitoring

Officials reviewed:

• The latest developments related to Ebola
• The UAE’s national surveillance systems
• Existing precautionary health measures
• Coordination between local and international authorities

Authorities stressed that the UAE’s health monitoring and emergency response systems are continuously reviewed and updated in line with international standards and global best practices.

Hospitals and medical teams remain ready

NCEMA and MoHAP said precautionary monitoring measures continue to be implemented across the country as part of the UAE’s proactive public health strategy.

They added that healthcare facilities and medical teams remain fully prepared to respond efficiently to any health developments if required.

The UAE has consistently invested in strengthening:

• Communicable disease response systems
• Emergency preparedness plans
• Integrated healthcare coordination
• Public health awareness initiatives

Authorities urge residents to rely on official information

Officials also called on the public to avoid sharing unverified information online, stressing the importance of relying only on official sources for updates related to public health matters.

The authorities said community awareness and responsible information sharing remain essential components in protecting public health and preventing unnecessary panic.

While no emergency has been announced, the meeting reflects the UAE’s ongoing approach of preparing early, monitoring developments closely and maintaining readiness for a wide range of public health scenarios.