Ajel, 12 February 2025: The Health Ministry has emphasised the necessity of full compliance with the approved regulations and laws regarding the practice of health professions, private health institutions, and pharmaceutical establishments and products.

The ministry has added that the Health Professions Practice System stipulates that a health practitioner must not engage in diagnostic and treatment methods that are not scientifically recognised or prohibited in the Kingdom.

It is also prohibited, except in cases specified by the executive regulations, for the practitioner to advertise themselves or promote themselves directly or through intermediaries.

The Private Health Institutions System also stipulates the prohibition of advertising health institutions except in accordance with the executive regulations and professional ethics, and it prevents the health practitioner from advertising themselves or using unapproved titles.

The Pharmaceutical Establishments and Products System states the prohibition of trading pharmaceutical and herbal products before registering them with the General Authority for Food and Drug, and that pharmaceutical product advertisements must comply with the regulations specified in the executive regulations.

Anyone who sells, dispenses, or possesses unregistered pharmaceutical products with the intent to trade is considered in violation of this system.

The Health Ministry has stated that penalties in these cases include: a financial fine of up to 10 million riyals, imprisonment for up to ten years, closure of the establishment, and revocation of the licence (for the establishment and the practitioner).

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