The Ministry of Health (MOH) has approved a decision imposing financial fines on three pharmaceutical warehouses for violation of law. The Private Health Sector Department, pertaining to Jeddah Health Affairs Directorate, has formed a committee which, while conducting an inspection tour, came across a warehouse in Jeddah, where a number of irregularities were detected. Pursuant to Article (37-2) of the Private Health Institutions Law, stipulating prohibition of opening a health facility until after obtaining the necessary license issued by the MOH for the owner of the facility, a punitive action has been taken against the warehouse by fining it with SR 50.000.
Another fine has been imposed (of SR 100.000) has been issued against the same institution, in accordance with (37-2) of the Private Health Institutions Law, stipulating prohibition of trading of pharmaceuticals and herbal lotions unless registered by the Ministry. Besides, the person accountable for the warehouse has been referred to the commission responsible for considering violations by health practitioners.
Another warehouse in Jeddah has been fined with SR 140.000, pursuant to Article (37-2) of the Private Health Institutions Law. The Private Health Sector Affairs Department, pertaining to Jeddah Health Affairs Directorate, has formed a committee which, while conducting an inspection tour, came across a warehouse in Jeddah, where a number of irregularities were detected. These irregularities include the absence of the director of the warehouse and leaving workers by their own, as well as finding out that the warehouse is not thermally insulated. That's to be added to the absence of a thermometer for the refrigerator, the absence of a room for expired drugs, the absence of an anti-insect system, in addition to the poor ventilation of the warehouse, and absence of refrigerating drug vans.
A third warehouse in Jeddah has been fined with SR 115.000, pursuant to Article (37-2) of the Private Health Institutions Law. The Private Health Sector Affairs Department, pertaining to Jeddah Health Affairs Directorate, has formed a committee which, while conducting an inspection tour, came across a warehouse in Jeddah, where a number of irregularities were detected. These irregularities include the absence of a thermometer, the absence of a pharmacist, lack of cleanliness, absence of an emergency exit, ignorance of safety measures, in addition to the absence of refrigerating drug vans.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of health has made clear that it will take all the statutory procedures, including precautionary closure, against any health institution proven to be non-compliant with the health quality standards. In so doing, the Ministry seeks to obligate such institutions to amend shortcomings, and redress all errors, in accordance with the statutory procedures.