Saudi Arabia has issued an official directive allowing foreigners to temporarily own pharmacies, according to Gulf News.
According to a local newspaper, non-Saudis can now own pharmacies and herbal preparation centers until an integrated health system comes into effect.
The decision represents a remarkable milestone as it reverses an earlier stipulation limiting ownership to Saudi nationals.
As a response to a request from the Ministry of Health, the new directive permits, on a temporary basis, the activities listed in a related system issued in 1995.
According to Article 3 of that system, the ownership of pharmacies, herbal preparation facilities, or pharmaceutical consultation centers are limited to Saudis.
Crucially, the owner or one of the partners was also required to be a pharmacist licensed to practice the profession.
The minister of health was authorized to exempt the nationality requirement if there are not enough Saudi pharmacists. This exemption requires that the pharmacy, or the facility in the field meets the required conditions in the relevant regulations.
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