Article 57 of the Saudi Anti-Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Law
المادة 57 من نظام مكافحة المخدرات والمؤثرات العقلية
The article revokes the professional practice license of anyone convicted of an Article 3 offense, revokes a pharmacy's license to trade in narcotic medicines in set cases, and bars a private treatment institution from holding them.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- يلغى ترخيص مزاولة المهنة لكل من يحكم عليه بارتكاب إحدى الجرائم المنصوص عليها في المادة (الثالثة) من هذا النظام.
2 - يلغى ترخيص الاتجار في الأدوية المخدرة أو المؤثرات العقلية الممنوح للمنشأة الصيدلية، إذا وقعت إحدى الجرائم المنصوص عليها في المادة (الثالثة) من هذا النظام ممن يملك المنشأة، أو تكرر وقوعها من أحد المسئولين فيها.
3 - تمنع المؤسسة العلاجية الخاصة من حيازة الأدوية المخدرة أو المؤثرات العقلية لديها إذا تكرر وقوع أحد الأفعال الجرمية المنصوص عليها في المادة (الثالثة) من هذا النظام من أحد المسئولين فيها عن هذه المواد.
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 57 explained in plain English
This article sets three consequences concerning licenses, all linked to the offenses in Article 3, namely smuggling; bringing in, possessing, selling, using and the like outside the licensed cases; cultivating Table (4) plants; making production equipment; laundering funds; and participating in or attempting any of these.
Paragraph 1: the professional practice license
The license to practice a profession is revoked for anyone convicted of one of the Article 3 offenses. The text is general and does not name a particular profession.
Paragraph 2: the pharmacy establishment's license
The license to trade in narcotic medicines or psychotropic substances granted to a pharmacy establishment is revoked in either of two cases:
- if one of the Article 3 offenses is committed by the owner of the establishment, even once,
- or it is repeated by one of those responsible in it.
Paragraph 3: the private treatment institution
A private treatment institution is barred from holding narcotic medicines or psychotropic substances if one of the Article 3 acts is repeated by one of those responsible in it for these substances.
Note the difference in the condition: an owner's offense is enough once to revoke the pharmacy's license, while an offense by a person responsible requires repetition, whether in a pharmacy or a private treatment institution.
This article comes after Article 56, which bars a Saudi convicted of an Article 3 act from traveling for a period equal to his prison term, of at least two years, after serving it, and deports a non-Saudi after the sentence, and before Article 58, which punishes a participant by agreement, incitement or assistance with the penalty set for the offense itself.
Anyone who owns a pharmacy establishment or a private treatment institution and faces such measures can consult a lawyer specialized in criminal cases and health regulations.
Practical example
A merchant owns a pharmacy in Al-Ahsa and is convicted of one of the Article 3 offenses. The license to trade in narcotic medicines granted to his pharmacy is revoked under paragraph 2 of Article 57, even if this is the first time. If the offender were instead an employed pharmacist responsible in it, the pharmacy's license would be revoked only if the offense were repeated by him.
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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Frequently asked questions about Article 57 of the Saudi Anti-Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Law
Is the professional practice license revoked for a person convicted in a drug case?
Yes. The professional practice license is revoked for anyone convicted of one of the offenses in Article 3.
When is a pharmacy's license to trade in narcotic medicines revoked?
If one of the Article 3 offenses is committed by the owner of the establishment, or is repeated by one of those responsible in it.
Is a private hospital barred from holding narcotic medicines?
Yes, if one of the Article 3 acts is repeated by one of those responsible in it for these substances.
Articles this article refers to
More articles on Travel Ban, Deportation and License Cancellation
- Article 47
The article allows the Minister of Interior or his delegate to be content with deporting an addict who arrived on a Hajj or Umrah visa if the substances he holds do not exceed his personal need, with the Implementing Regulations setting their type and quantity.
ل وزير الداخلية -أو من يفوضه- الاكتفاء بإبعاد مدمن المخدرات أو المؤثرات العقلية الذي قدم بتأشيرة حج أو عمرة وبحوزته مواد مخدرة أو مؤثرات عقلية لا تفيض عن حاجته
- Article 49
The article imposes a fine of up to SAR 20,000 on licensees who violate the registration and prescription rules or who hold excess or insufficient quantities, and doubles it with closure of the premises for a repeat within 3 years.
1 - مع عدم الإخلال بأحكام المواد السابقة، يعاقب بغرامة لا تزيد على عشرين ألف ريال : أ - كل من رخص له بحيازة مواد مخدرة أو مؤثرات عقلية أو الاتجار فيها وخالف ما
- Article 55
The article revokes the license to manage an establishment licensed to trade in narcotics if its licensed or responsible manager commits an Article 3 offense, and allows barring him from the profession and closing the premises.
1- يلغى الترخيص الخاص بإدارة المنشأة المرخص لها بالاتجار في المواد المخدرة أو المؤثرات العقلية لأغراض طبية أو علمية، إذا كان الجاني هو المرخص له بإدارتها أو الم
- Article 56
The article bars a Saudi convicted of a drug offense from traveling for a period equal to his prison term, of at least two years, after serving it, and deports a non-Saudi after his sentence, with no return except as Hajj and Umrah instructions allow.
1- يمنع السعودي -المحكوم عليه بارتكاب أحد الأفعال الجرمية المنصوص عليها في المادة (الثالثة) من هذا النظام، من السفر إلى خارج المملكة بعد انتهاء تنفيذ عقوبة السج
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.