Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) initiated punitive measures against a commercial establishment based in Dammam for committing several violations. These violations include stocking more than 150,000 packages of expired pharmaceutical products, which were seized and impounded before entering the market. The establishment also engaged in storing pharmaceutical products before obtaining a license from the authority. The SFDA has referred the erring establishment to the Public Prosecution as part of the legal measures.

These violations constitute a clear violation of the provisions of the Saudi Law of Pharmaceutical and Herbal Establishments and Preparations. Paragraph 2 of Article 34 of the law stipulates that "whoever sells, dispenses, or possesses a pharmaceutical or herbal product that is adulterated, spoiled, expired, or unregistered with the intent to trade, shall be punished by imprisonment for a period not exceeding 10 years, or by a fine not exceeding SR10 million, or by both penalties."

The authority emphasized the importance of adhering to applicable regulations and rules to enhance the safety and quality of medicines and products circulating in Saudi markets. It emphasized that such violations pose a direct threat to the health and safety of consumers and require deterrent legal action. The authority affirmed that it will not hesitate to pursue violators and those who expose patients' medicines to danger.

The authority called on members of the community to cooperate in reporting any violations observed in facilities under its supervision by calling the unified number (19999), in order to protect public health. The SFDA also renewed its commitment to continuing its oversight efforts to combat all types of violations and transgressions affecting products under its supervision and to implement legal penalties against perpetrators.