Article 35 of the Saudi Anti-Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Law

المادة 35 من نظام مكافحة المخدرات والمؤثرات العقلية

The article bars an unlicensed person from possessing narcotic or psychotropic medicines except on a licensed doctor's prescription, prohibits giving them up, and requires returning unused medicines, or those of a deceased person, to their source.

Official text (Arabic)

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

1- لا يجوز لأي شخص غير مرخص له حيازة أدوية مخدرة أو مؤثرات عقلية ما لم يصفها له طبيب مرخص له بحسب أحكام هذا النظام. ولا يجوز له التنازل عن الأدوية المخدرة أو المؤثرات العقلية التي حصل عليها بقصد العلاج بأي صورة كانت ولأي شخص كان. وعليه إعادة ما صرف له أو ما تبقى منه إلى مصدره عند عدم استعماله.

2- في حالة وفاة من صرفت له أدوية مخدرة يجب على من بحوزته تلك الأدوية إعادتها إلى مصدرها.

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 35 explained in plain English

This article addresses an ordinary person who is not licensed, and sets several rules for him on narcotic or psychotropic medicines:

Possession is conditional on a prescription: he may not possess these medicines unless a doctor licensed under the provisions of the Law prescribes them for him. Possession, in the definition of Article One, is taking control of these substances by way of ownership or custody.
No giving up: what he obtained for treatment may not be given up in any form and to anyone, so this includes gifting, selling and handing over, even to a relative.
Returning what is unused: he must return what was dispensed to him, or what remains of it, to its source when it is not used.
Case of death: if a person to whom narcotic medicines were dispensed dies, whoever has those medicines must return them to their source.

A medicine prescribed to a patient remains reserved for him alone, and does not become property he may dispose of as he pleases. The article does not specify the method or deadline for returning it.

This article is consistent with Article 34, which prohibits a doctor from writing a prescription for himself or a member of his family for these medicines in any quantity, and with Article 36, which regulates the chemical precursors listed in Table (3), prohibiting bringing them in, exporting them, making them, trading in them, possessing them and so on, except under the conditions of the Regulations.

For someone who has a medicine of this kind that he no longer needs, or who is left with a medicine belonging to a deceased relative, the article directs him to return it to its source. Anyone questioned over possessing a medicine of this kind can consult a lawyer specialized in criminal cases.

Practical example

Sara's father died in Riyadh, and a pack of a narcotic painkiller dispensed to him from the hospital pharmacy remained at home. Instead of keeping it or giving it to anyone, Sara returns it to the hospital that dispensed it, in compliance with paragraph 2 of Article 35.

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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