The Saudi Food and Drugs Authority (SFDA) has decided to allow supermarkets and medium and large-sized food stores to sell some specific medicines provided the required conditions for storage are fulfilled round-the-clock. The same applies to food stores on highways that work 24/7. The medicines include capsules and tablets containing 500 mg paracetamol like Panadol and Fevadol, among others; paracetamol 500 mg and caffeine like Panadol Extra, Fevadol Extra and the like; lozenges containing vitamins and minerals in their composition; preparations in the form of creams, gels, balms or lotions containing menthol, camphor, eucalyptus or methyl acetate that are used for muscular pain or to reduce common cold symptoms. Examples are Vicks, Axe Brand oil (Abu Fas), and others. These stores are also permitted to sell hand sanitizers containing Isopropyl alcohol or ethanol, the SFDA said Friday. The pharmaceutical preparations mentioned above cannot be sold wholesale by food stores or distributors. Selling them wholesale is restricted to warehouses that trade in pharmaceutical and herbal preparations.
