Article 10 of the Saudi Pharmaceutical Establishments Law
المادة 10 من نظام المنشآت والمستحضرات الصيدلانية والعشبية
This article limits work in promoting and informing about pharmaceutical and herbal products to a full-time licensed Saudi pharmacist, and lets the President waive the nationality condition when there are not enough Saudi pharmacists.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
لا يجوز أن يعمل في مجال الدعاية والتعريف بالمستحضرات الصيدلانية والعشبية إلا صيدلي سعودي متفرغ مرخص له بمزاولة المهنة. وللرئيس الإعفاء من شرط الجنسية إذا لم يتوافر العدد الكافي من الصيادلة السعوديين.
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 who may work in promoting and informing about pharmaceutical and herbal products, and sets four conditions that apply together:
- Must be a pharmacist in the sense of Article 1.
- Must be Saudi.
- Must be full-time.
- Must be licensed to practice the profession.
Someone who is not a pharmacist, such as a pharmacy technician or a non-specialist marketer, may therefore not work in this field.
The exception: the President, who is the Chief Executive Officer of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority, may waive the nationality condition alone, if there is not a sufficient number of Saudi pharmacists. The remaining conditions (being a full-time licensed pharmacist) are not covered by the waiver according to the text.
This article complements Article 9, which bars a pharmaceutical establishment from employing any unlicensed health practitioner. It is followed by Article 11, which addresses the basis for calculating a product's price.
To see how this rule affects a particular situation, it is advisable to consult a lawyer who specializes in health and pharmaceutical regulation.
Practical example
A pharmaceutical company wants to appoint representatives to inform doctors in Jeddah about its products. They must be full-time Saudi pharmacists licensed to practice the profession, and if there are not enough Saudi pharmacists, the Authority's Chief Executive Officer may waive the nationality condition.
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 Pharmaceutical Establishments Law
Can someone who is not a pharmacist work as a drug representative?
No. The article limits work in promoting and informing about products to a full-time licensed Saudi pharmacist.
Can the Saudi nationality condition be waived?
Yes. The Authority's Chief Executive Officer may waive it if there is not a sufficient number of Saudi pharmacists.
Does the waiver cover the license or full-time conditions?
The text limits the waiver to the nationality condition only.
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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.