The Ministry of Health (MOH) has adopted a decision requiring doctors to use the scientific names of drugs in their medical prescriptions. Passed by H.E. MOH Minister Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, the decision gives exception only to the drug list issued by Saudi Food & Drug Authority, which is dispensed by the drug’s commercial name.
This decision is pat of MOH's ongoing efforts and policy to reduce the cost of treatment. It is also in line with WHO's policies to enhance using scientific names of drugs in medical prescriptions.
MOH plans to launch a social media orientation campaign to enforce this decision, in order to update patients on their rights to identify available affordable alternatives of the same quality, and to educate the community about the difference between scientific and commercial names, as well as the latter’s incurred impact; stressing the patient’s right to have a paper prescription. The campaign also details the penalties for violation by health facilities.
MOH has called upon all to cooperate and report any related violations by calling (937). Moreover, MOH has urged all physicians in private and public sectors to protect patients’ health, to ensure their safety, the make them their core focus, and to fully comply with professional ethics and the Law of Practicing Healthcare Professions.
In this regard, MOH has recently created the “Compliance Enhancement Agency” to follow-up compliance with professional rules, regulations and ethics in both private and public sectors. This decision falls within the MOH’s developmental initiatives and scheduled campaigns to control and verify the health sector’s compliance. This would positively enhance the quality of healthcare services and ensure patients’ satisfaction.