Mishal Al-Otaibi Saudi Gazette RIYADH — The process of issuing regulations for importing chemicals should be expedited in order to control imports of precursor chemicals and prevent their use in manufacturing narcotics, said officials from the directorate to combat drugs and the Saudi Food and Drugs Authority (SFDA). Anti-drugs officers expressed their concerns to SFDA director Dr. Muhammad Al-Kanhal during his recent visit to the directorate in Riyadh about the unlawful use of precursor chemicals to manufacture narcotic drugs. Al-Kanhal said the SFDA is planning to issue regulations soon to control this practice in the Kingdom. The regulations will prevent doctors from giving patients the same prescription for an addictive drug again, Al-Kanhal said. They will reduce addictions to prescribed medications and control the import-export licenses of these chemicals. In a press statement following the visit, Al-Kanhal reiterated the importance of exchanging expertise between the SFDA and the directorate. He also praised the work of anti-drugs officers in combating drugs. Precursor chemicals are compounds that are used in the manufacture of narcotic drugs.
