Article 13 of the Saudi Healthcare Professions Practice Law
المادة 13 من نظام مزاولة المهن الصحية
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
لا يجوز للممارس الصحي- في غير الحالات الطارئة- إجراء الفحوص، أو العلاج بمقابل أو بالمجان في الصيدليات، أو الأماكن غير المخصصة لذلك.
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 13 explained in plain English
This article sets the place where a healthcare practitioner may examine and treat patients. They may not carry out examinations or treatment:
- in pharmacies.
- or in places not designated for it.
The prohibition covers work for a fee or free of charge. That a service is free does not make it permitted in these places. The reason is that these places may not meet the conditions needed for the patient's safety.
The text excepts emergency cases. This prohibition does not apply to them, so the practitioner may provide examination or treatment in the place where the emergency case is.
The article does not define "places not designated", but names pharmacies as an express example of them. It follows Article 12, which prohibits combining professions and commissions for directing patients, and precedes Article 14, which lists other prohibitions, including selling medicines to patients outside pharmacy facilities and using prohibited devices. Anyone with a question about where a particular healthcare activity may be carried out may consult a lawyer specialized in healthcare practice and medical malpractice cases.
Practical example
A physician agreed with a pharmacy owner in Madinah that he would sit there in the evenings to examine customers free of charge and prescribe medicines for them. This is not permitted under the article, because it is examination and treatment in a pharmacy and not in an emergency case, and the fact that the examination is free does not change the ruling.
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 13 of the Saudi Healthcare Professions Practice Law
May a doctor examine patients in a pharmacy?
No, except in emergency cases, even if the examination is free.
May patients be treated in non-designated places if it is free?
No. The prohibition covers examination and treatment for a fee or free of charge, except in emergency cases.
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 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 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.