Article 12 of the Saudi Healthcare Professions Practice Law
المادة 12 من نظام مزاولة المهن الصحية
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 يحظر عليه الحصول على أي منفعة لقاء الترويج أو الالتزام بوصف أدوية أو أجهزة، أو توجيه المرضى إلى صيدلية معنية، أو مستشفى أو مختبر محدد، أو ما في حكم ذلك.
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 12 explained in plain English
This article aims to protect the independence of the healthcare practitioner's decisions, so that they prescribe treatment and direct the patient only in the patient's interest. It contains two rules:
First: combining professions. The healthcare practitioner may not practice:
- more than one healthcare profession.
- or any other profession whose practice conflicts with the healthcare professions.
Second: commissions and benefits. The healthcare practitioner is prohibited from:
- Requesting, accepting or taking a commission or reward.
- Obtaining any benefit in return for promoting medicines or devices or committing to prescribe them.
- Obtaining a benefit in return for directing patients to a particular pharmacy, hospital or laboratory, or the like.
The phrase "or the like" makes the prohibition cover every similar form, even if not named.
The article follows Article 11 on the duty to report criminal injuries and infectious diseases, and precedes Article 13, which prevents examinations or treatment in pharmacies or places not designated for them except in emergency cases. Anyone who suspects that their referral to a particular party was for the practitioner's benefit may consult a lawyer specialized in healthcare practice and medical malpractice cases.
Practical example
A physician at a clinic in Khobar requires every patient to have tests done at a particular laboratory, because the laboratory owner pays him an amount for each patient he refers. This act falls within the prohibition in the article, because it is obtaining a benefit in return for directing patients to a particular laboratory.
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 12 of the Saudi Healthcare Professions Practice Law
May a doctor take a commission from a pharmaceutical company?
No. They are prohibited from requesting, accepting or taking a commission or reward, and from obtaining any benefit in return for promoting or committing to prescribe medicines or devices.
May a doctor direct a patient to a particular pharmacy in return for a benefit?
No. They are prohibited from obtaining any benefit in return for directing patients to a particular pharmacy, hospital or laboratory, or the like.
May a healthcare practitioner work in two healthcare professions?
No. They may not practice more than one healthcare profession, or any other profession that conflicts with the healthcare professions.
More articles on Prohibitions on Healthcare Practitioners
- Article 10
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.
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 يسج
- 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.