Article 34 of the Saudi Anti-Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Law

المادة 34 من نظام مكافحة المخدرات والمؤثرات العقلية

The article prohibits a doctor from writing a prescription for himself or a member of his family for medicines containing narcotic or psychotropic substances, whatever the quantity.

Official text (Arabic)

This article has not been amended since the law was issued.

يحظر على الطبيب أن يحرر لنفسه أو لأحد أفراد عائلته وصفة لأدوية تحتوي على مواد مخدرة أو مؤثرات عقلية بأي كمية كانت.

This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers

Article 34 explained in plain English

This article places an express prohibition on the doctor: he may not write a prescription for medicines containing narcotic substances or psychotropic substances in two cases:

If the prescription is for himself.
If the prescription is for a member of his family.

The prohibition is absolute as to quantity, since the text says "in any quantity", so it makes no exception for a small quantity or for an existing medical need. The article does not define "members of the family" in detail.

This article is a restriction on the authority in Article 33, which licenses doctors to possess narcotic or psychotropic medicines and to prescribe and dispense them from their private clinics according to the controls of the Regulations. A doctor licensed to prescribe for his patients may not use this authority for himself or his family. The evident wisdom behind this is to prevent conflicts of interest and reduce the possibility of misuse of these medicines.

In contrast, Article 35 regulates the position of a person who is not licensed: he may not possess these medicines unless a licensed doctor prescribes them for him, may not give up what he obtained of them for treatment to anyone, and must return what he did not use to its source.

The article does not prevent the doctor or his family from being treated with these medicines; it only prevents him from writing the prescription for them. Anyone with a question about a particular situation can consult a lawyer specialized in criminal cases and health regulations.

Practical example

Khalid works as a doctor in a private clinic in Medina, and his wife is suffering severe pain after surgery. Under Article 34, he may not write her a prescription himself for a painkiller containing a narcotic substance, even in a small quantity.

Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.

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