Article 10 of the Saudi Healthcare Professions Practice Law
المادة 10 من نظام مزاولة المهن الصحية
The article prohibits the healthcare practitioner from advertising themselves or promoting themselves except in the cases set by the Regulations, and from listing scientific titles or specialties they have not lawfully obtained.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
أ - يحظر على الممارس الصحي- في غير الحالات التي تحددها اللائحة التنفيذية- الإعلان عن نفسه أو الدعاية لشخصه مباشرة أو بالوساطة.
ب - يحظر على الممارس الصحي أن يسجل على اللوحات أو البطاقات أو الوصفات الطبية أو الإعلانات ألقابًا علمية أو تخصصات لم يحصل عليها وفقًا للقواعد المنظمة لها.
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 10 explained in plain English
This article regulates the healthcare practitioner's presentation to the public, and sets two rules:
Paragraph (a): advertising and promotion. The healthcare practitioner is prohibited from advertising themselves or promoting themselves, whether directly or through an intermediary (that is, through someone else). The prohibition is not absolute, however. There are cases set by the Implementing Regulations in which advertising is allowed, and the Law itself does not list them.
Paragraph (b): titles and specialties. The practitioner is prohibited from listing scientific titles or specialties they have not obtained according to the rules regulating them, on any of:
- Signboards.
- Cards.
- Medical prescriptions.
- Advertisements.
This paragraph protects the patient from relying on a practitioner they believe to be more highly qualified than they really are.
This article follows Article 9, which prevents the practitioner from exceeding their specialty or means except in a case of necessity, and precedes Article 11, which requires the practitioner to notify the competent security and health authorities about a patient suspected of being injured by a crime or having an infectious disease. To learn the cases in which advertising is allowed, refer to the Implementing Regulations, or consult a lawyer specialized in healthcare practice and medical malpractice cases.
Practical example
A physician in a private clinic in Jeddah holds a certificate in family medicine, but wrote on the clinic signboard and his prescriptions that he is a "consultant in plastic surgery" without having obtained this specialty according to the regulating rules. This act falls within the prohibition in paragraph (b) of the article.
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 10 of the Saudi Healthcare Professions Practice Law
May a physician advertise themselves?
They are prohibited from advertising themselves or promoting themselves, directly or through an intermediary, except in the cases set by the Implementing Regulations.
May a physician write a title they have not obtained?
No. They are prohibited from listing scientific titles or specialties they have not obtained according to the regulating rules on signboards, cards, prescriptions or advertisements.
More articles on Prohibitions on Healthcare Practitioners
- Article 12
The article prohibits the healthcare practitioner from practicing more than one healthcare profession or a conflicting profession, and from commissions and benefits for promoting medicines or devices or directing patients.
لا يجوز للممارس الصحي مزاولة أكثر من مهنة صحية واحدة، أو أي مهنة أخرى تتعارض مزاولتها مع المهن الصحية. ويحظر عليه طلب عمولة أو مكافأة أو قبولها أو أخذها، كما يح
- Article 13
The article prohibits the healthcare practitioner, except in emergency cases, from carrying out examinations or treatment, for a fee or free of charge, in pharmacies or places not designated for it.
لا يجوز للممارس الصحي- في غير الحالات الطارئة- إجراء الفحوص، أو العلاج بمقابل أو بالمجان في الصيدليات، أو الأماكن غير المخصصة لذلك.
- Article 14
The article lists prohibited acts for the healthcare practitioner, including employing unlicensed persons, selling medicines and samples, keeping medicines contrary to instructions, and using prohibited devices.
يحظر على الممارس الصحي ما يأتي: أ - استخدام غير المرخص لهم من ذوي المهن الصحية، أو تقديم مساعدة لأي شخص يمارس مهنة صحية بصورة غير مشروعة. ب - الاحتفاظ في مقرر ا
- Article 29
The article punishes with a fine of up to SAR 50,000 anyone who violates Articles 10, 12 and 13 and paragraphs (b), (c), (d) and (e) of Article 14.
يعاقب بغرامة لا تزيد على خمسين ألف ريال، كل من خالف أحكام المواد: (العاشرة)، و(الثانية عشرة) ، و(الثالثة عشرة)، والفقرات (ب ، ج ، د، هـ) من المادة (الرابعة عشرة
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.