Saudi Arabia: Draft Pharmacies Law Under Consideration
A draft pharmacies law is under consideration according to the Director for Legal Affairs at the Saudi Food and Drug Authority. Under the proposed law, there will need to be at least 1000 metres distance in each direction between two pharmacies. Each company will only be allowed to own 30 pharmacies and individual pharmacists will be able to own up to five pharmacies. The online sale of medicines and unauthorised selling of medical and herbal products will also be banned. Licenses issued for medical or herbal products will be valid for five years but will be renewable. There are also provisions on pharmaceutical factories. The technical director of a factory will have to be a full time Saudi pharmacist and have the appropriate qualifications. The Authority will conduct regular inspections and will also review medicine prices every five years. They will destroy any illegal products and issue appropriate penalties. This includes jailing violators for up to 10 years, fining them up to 10 million Riyals and if the person is a non-Saudi, deporting them. The Authority will also be able to revoke licenses and prevent individuals from working in the pharmaceutical industry.