By Fatima Muhammad
Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH — Expats face significant challenges buying drugs for certain illnesses in Saudi Arabia. Drugs for thyroid gland, heart and high blood pressure have limited availability at pharmacies that are not attached to public hospitals, a source told Saudi Gazette.

This makes it extremely difficult for expats who cannot source their medicine from public pharmacies. The problem is accentuated by local companies preferring to manufacture drugs for common illnesses only. A pharmacist who spoke under the condition of anonymity confirmed limited availability of critical medication.

“The production of these medications demands more money and are not as financially viable as treatments for cough, fever and common allergies are. Therefore, local companies do not manufacture them and the multinationals choose not to import them.”

Wail Abbas, a pharmacist, said that the sector is flooded by middlemen encouraging doctors and pharmacies to prescribe less effective medications; especially in winter, summer or Haj seasons. “Doctors whose names are well-known in the sector will not cooperate with such middlemen,” he added.

Dr. Sami Badawood. director of Jeddah Health Affairs, said that they always attempt to replace any missing medication. However, he denied that doctors promote less effective drugs. He emphasized this was against the doctor’s code of conduct. “If a doctor is found guilty of such practice, then he will be fined and he may lose his license.”