Article 67 of the Saudi Anti-Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Law
المادة 67 من نظام مكافحة المخدرات والمؤثرات العقلية
The article gives those competent in the Ministry of Health the status of criminal-investigation officers in implementing the Law, with the right to enter health and pharmaceutical facilities that use narcotics and examine their records.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
للمختصين في وزارة الصحة صفة الضبط الجنائي في تنفيذ أحكام هذا النظام ومهمة دخول مخازن الأدوية ومستودعات الاتجار في المواد المخدرة أو المؤثرات العقلية والمستشفيات والمستوصفات والصيدليات ومصانع الأدوية والمستحضرات الطبية ومعامل التحاليل الكيمائية التي تستخدم مواد مخدرة أو مؤثرات عقلية ، ولهم في سبيل ذلك الإطلاع على الدفاتر والسجلات المتعلقة بكيفية التصرف في المواد المخدرة أو المؤثرات العقلية .
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 67 explained in plain English
This article regulates the supervisory role of the Ministry of Health in implementing the Anti-Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Law, giving those competent in it the status of criminal-investigation officers in implementing its provisions.
The article entrusts them with the task of entering the following places:
- medicine stores.
- Warehouses for trading in narcotics or psychotropic substances.
- Hospitals, clinics and pharmacies.
- Factories for medicines and medical preparations.
- Chemical analysis laboratories that use narcotics or psychotropic substances.
To do so they may examine the books and records relating to how narcotics or psychotropic substances are disposed of. Under Article 1, narcotics are those listed in Table No. (1), and psychotropic substances are those listed in Table No. (2).
In practical terms, this article means that health and pharmaceutical facilities that deal with these substances are subject to the supervision of the Ministry of Health, and that their records on disposing of them must be available for the competent officials to examine.
This article is among the articles that distribute the status of criminal-investigation officers: Article 66 gives it to the directors, officers and non-commissioned officers of narcotics control, and Article 68 gives it to those competent in Customs, the Border Guard, the Saudi Central Bank and the Ministry of Agriculture, each in respect of his own work.
If a health facility or pharmacy has questions about its obligations or about a supervisory measure taken against it, it should consult a lawyer specialized in criminal and drug cases.
Practical example
Specialists from the Ministry of Health visit a pharmacy in Jeddah that dispenses medicines containing psychotropic substances, and ask to examine the records on how these medicines are disposed of. Under this article they have the status of criminal-investigation officers and the right to enter the pharmacy and examine those books and records.
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 67 of the Saudi Anti-Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Law
Can the Ministry of Health enter pharmacies and inspect narcotic medicine records?
Yes. Those competent in the Ministry of Health have the status of criminal-investigation officers and the task of entering pharmacies and the other facilities listed, and examining the books and records on the disposal of narcotics or psychotropic substances.
Which places may Ministry of Health officials enter?
Medicine stores, warehouses for trading in narcotics or psychotropic substances, hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, medicine and medical preparation factories, and chemical analysis laboratories that use these substances.
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1- على السلطات المختصة في المملكة ملاحقة ومعاقبة أي مواطن سعودي أقدم -خارج المملكة- على ارتكاب جريمة من الجرائم المنصوص عليها في المادة ( الثالثة ) من هذا النظا
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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.