Article 39 of the Saudi Pharmaceutical Establishments Law
المادة 39 من نظام المنشآت والمستحضرات الصيدلانية والعشبية
The article allows the judgment or decision imposing a penalty to include publishing its operative part at the violator's expense in a local newspaper or other suitable means, once it is final or unchallengeable.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يجوز تضمين الحكم أو القرار الصادر بالعقوبة - بحسب الأحوال - النص على نشر منطوقه على نفقة المخالف في صحيفة محلية تصدر في مقر إقامته، فإن لم تكن في مقره صحيفة ففي أقرب منطقة إليه، أو نشره في أي وسيلة أخرى مناسبة، وذلك بحسب نوع المخالفة المرتكبة وجسامتها وتأثيرها؛ على أن يكون النشر بعد اكتساب الحكم الصفة القطعية، أو تحصن القرار بفوات ميعاد التظلم عليه أو بتأييده من المحكمة المختصة.
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 39 explained in plain English
This article regulates publication of the penalty (public naming) through specific elements:
1. Permissibility: Publication is permitted, not mandatory; the judgment or decision imposing the penalty, as the case may be, may provide for publishing its operative part.
2. Cost: Publication is at the violator's expense.
3. Means:
- A local newspaper published in the violator's place of residence.
- If there is no newspaper there, then in the nearest region to it.
- Or in any other suitable means.
4. Standard of assessment: Publication is decided according to the type of violation, its seriousness and its impact.
5. Timing: Publication takes place only after:
- The judgment becomes final, or
- The decision becomes unchallengeable, either because the period for a grievance against it has passed, or because the competent court has upheld it.
Publication is therefore not permitted while the decision or judgment can still be challenged. It follows Article 38, which deals with referring serious violations to the Public Prosecution and then to the competent court.
To understand how this provision applies to a particular case, it is advisable to consult a lawyer specialized in health and pharmaceutical regulations.
Practical example
A judgment was issued convicting a warehouse owner in Qassim of selling adulterated medicines, and the judgment provided for publication of its operative part at his expense. The judgment is published only after it becomes final, and then in a local newspaper published where he lives, or in the nearest region, or by another suitable means.
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 39 of the Saudi Pharmaceutical Establishments Law
Are violators of the Pharmaceutical Establishments Law publicly named?
The judgment or decision imposing the penalty may provide for publishing its operative part at the violator's expense, depending on the type of violation, its seriousness and its impact.
When is the judgment published?
After it becomes final, or after the decision becomes unchallengeable because the grievance period has passed or the competent court has upheld it.
Who pays the cost of publication?
The violator; publication is at the violator's expense.
More articles on Penalties for Drug and Herbal Violations
- Article 34
The article lists the acts that violate the law, including adulterating products, selling or importing adulterated, spoiled or unregistered products, false promotion and counterfeit packaging.
يعد مخالفاً لأحكام النظام كل مَن: 1- غش أو شرع في غش أي مستحضر صيدلاني أو عشبي. 2- باع، أو صرف، أو حاز بقصد الاتجار مستحضراً صيدلانيًّا أو عشبيًّا مغشوشاً، أو ف
- Article 35
The article sets penalties of a fine up to SAR 5 million, closure up to 180 days or license cancellation, rising to prison up to 10 years or a fine up to SAR 10 million for adulteration offenses.
1- مع عدم الإخلال بأي عقوبة أشد ينص عليها نظام آخر، يعاقب مرتكب أيٍّ من الأفعال المنصوص عليها في المادة (الرابعة والثلاثين) من النظام بواحدة أو أكثر من العقوبات
- Article 36
The article lets the Authority impose fines below SAR 100,000 on scientific offices and centers, below SAR 200,000 on warehouses and below SAR 300,000 on factories, under a schedule issued by the Board.
تتولى الهيئة توقيع عقوبة الغرامة فيما دون (100.000) مائة ألف ريال في حق المكاتب العلمية، ومراكز الاستشارات الدوائية أو تحليل المستحضرات الصيدلانية المخالفة، وفي
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.