Saudi Arabia is studying the possibility of dispensing medication to its citizens free of charge through private pharmacies. The Council of Ministers issued a direction to the Ministry of Health to take care of five articles that are related to citizens’ health, the most important of which is dispensing medicine to citizens free of charge through private pharmacies.

A source confirmed that the Council of Ministers asked the Ministry of health to provide detailed information about what has been achieved in the new medical cities’ project, and the timetable for their completion, in addition to drafting a program to fortify Saudi food with Vitamin D.

The council also called for a national campaign to strengthen health and develop educational, preventive and therapy programs, as well as continuing to supply unavailable and approved medications in the medication guide of the ministry.

The council gave priority to citizens’ health by developing preventive, educational and therapeutic programs through the cooperation of government ministries.

Some European countries offer medication through private pharmacies for free on certain conditions. For instance, British citizens and residents and anyone who enters the country as a tourist has access to free high quality health services, while a certain section of society receives special treatment with regard to free medication, including students.

Saudi scholarship students in Britain can receive free treatment and an 80 percent discount in the price of medicines if they get a recommendation from the local health center or their GP (general practitioner).

 
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