RIYADH — Two hospitals, two pharmacies and a doctor have been fined a total of SR195,000 by the Ministry of Health. The owner of one of the hospitals was fined SR55,000 for not hiring a Saudi pharmacist and allowing an expatriate to dispense prescriptions without a professional license. The owner of the other hospital was asked to pay SR25,000 for not hiring a Saudi pharmacist. The two pharmacies were fined SR80,000 and SR20,000 respectively for different violations, including failure to register products with the ministry and present documents that prove the original provider of medications on the shelves. The doctor was slapped with a SR15,000 fine for practicing without a license. The ministry will name and shame all violators once all procedures have been completed.
