Article 25 of the Saudi Pharmaceutical Establishments Law
المادة 25 من نظام المنشآت والمستحضرات الصيدلانية والعشبية
This article lets the Authority allow non-prohibited pharmaceutical and herbal products to be brought in for personal use, with a medical report and in limited quantities.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
للهيئة السماح بدخول المستحضرات الصيدلانية والعشبية غير المحظورة للاستعمال الشخصي بموجب تقرير طبي وبكميات محدودة.
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 25 explained in plain English
This article addresses a common case: bringing in medicines and herbal products for personal use. The Authority may allow it on conditions:
- The products must be not prohibited.
- The purpose must be personal use.
- It must be under a medical report.
- They must be in limited quantities.
The rule is discretionary for the Authority ("the Authority may allow"), and the article does not set the amount of "limited quantities" or the content of the medical report required. The text also does not require the product to be registered in the Kingdom.
The conditions apply together; a medical report is not enough if the quantity is not limited or the product is prohibited. It is preceded by Article 24 on cancelling the registration of factories and products and stopping their circulation, and followed by Article 26, which bars trading warehouses from selling to anyone other than a pharmacy, an herbal products sales establishment and a licensed health establishment.
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
Mohammed returns from a course of treatment abroad with a non-prohibited medicine prescribed by his doctor. The Authority may allow it to be brought in for his personal use if he has a medical report and the quantity is limited.
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 25 of the Saudi Pharmaceutical Establishments Law
Can I bring personal medicines into Saudi Arabia?
The Authority may allow non-prohibited products to be brought in for personal use under a medical report and in limited quantities.
Do I need a medical report to bring in my medicine?
Yes. The text requires that it be under a medical report.
What quantity is allowed in?
The article refers to limited quantities without specifying an amount.
More articles on Import and Export of Pharmaceutical Preparations
- Article 22
This article bars exporting pharmaceutical and herbal products except after the approval of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority.
لا يجوز تصدير المستحضرات الصيدلانية والعشبية إلا بعد موافقة الهيئة.
- Article 23
This article lets the Authority, when necessary, allow the import of pharmaceutical and herbal products that are not prohibited before they are registered.
يجوز للهيئة - عند الضرورة - السماح باستيراد المستحضرات الصيدلانية والعشبية غير المحظورة قبل تسجيلها.
- Article 27
This article lets trading warehouses import registered products that the producing factory does not supply, provided the Authority approves.
لمستودعات الاتجار بالمستحضرات الصيدلانية والعشبية استيراد المستحضرات الصيدلانية والعشبية المسجلة إذا لم يوفرها المصنع المنتج، بشرط موافقة الهيئة.
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.