Pharmaceutical policy in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Saudi Arabia has a well-developed national medicine policy as well as a well-established drug regulatory framework. Moreover, there is a well-defined pharmaceutical pricing policy, and the medicine prices are strictly controlled. The Saudi Pharmaceutical market is the largest market in the Middle East and African (MEA) region. Moreover, it is heavily dependent on imported medicines and dominated by patented and original medicines. Regarding rational use of medicines, there are several issues that need to be addressed. These include unrestricted access to medicines in the community pharmacies. Moreover, the involvement of community pharmacists in promoting rational use of medicines is currently limited. Additionally, generic medicines are still underutilized in the healthcare system. The way forward is the full implementation of these policies and the stricter enforcement of the laws governing medicines sales and dispensing.