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.