Saudi drug authority limits ownership of firms to 30 pharmacies

Saudi Food and Drug Authority’s (SFDA) new draft regulations has limited firms’ ownership of pharmacies to the maximum of 30 pharmacies, while pharmacists can own up to five drug stores, Al-Eqtisadiah newspaper reported.

The distance between pharmacies is set at 1,000 meters from all directions, with a five-year license, SFDA said in a workshop at Jeddah’s chamber.

Obtaining SFDA’s license is a must to open a new pharmacy, it said.

Violators of these regulations or those who would take part in the adulteration of drugs are subject to penalties reaching SAR 10 million, serving jail time up to 10 years and getting their licenses cancelled.

Expat violators will be deported, it added.