HRSD Ministry says pharmacy localization exceeds target by 700%

The initiatives launched by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development  (HRSD) in partnership with the Ministry of Health to localize medical sectors led to several positive results, Saudi News Agency reported, citing Mohammed Al-Rizqi, Spokesperson for HRSD Ministry.

The number of working citizens increased from 1,266 to more than 10,000 pharmacists, exceeding the targeted total by 700%, he said.

Since the beginning of 2023 until September, the Saudization program has succeeded in employing and enabling more than 1,300 pharmacists to work in the private sector, Al-Rizqi pointed out, highlighting the success of the decisions made to localize the sector.

Citizens working in the pharmacy profession are largely based in major pharmaceutical manufacturing companies, pharmaceutical supply companies, and, in hospitals where there are pharmacies for dispensing medications.

The ministries of HRSD and Health continue to collaborate to follow up the sector’s localization status and work on gradually increasing the Saudization rate to accommodate the current and expected Saudi pharmacists and graduates, with an aim to provide more stimulating and productive job opportunities for citizens.

The opportunity is available for Saudi pharmacists, he added, considering the diversity of the jobs in the field, including private sector hospitals, medical complexes, pharmaceutical companies and factories, and community pharmacies.

Moreover, HRSD Ministry provides private sector establishments with a number of incentives and support programs to help them employ Saudi nationals.

In February 2020, the HRSD Minister issued a ministerial decision stipulating the gradual localization of the pharmacy sector and its related specialties in all labor market activities and outlets, provided the decision is implemented in two phases, Argaam earlier reported.