Riyadh: Saudi Arabia has given strict instructions to doctors and health institutions not to accept free samples and gifts from drug companies. The proposal was put forward by the Saudi National Center for Mental Health Promotion and Ethical Practice.
Don’t accept gifts because of relationships between healthcare professionals and pharmaceutical companies. The guidelines also point out the regulations to be followed by health institutions when dealing with pharmaceutical companies. The committee also suggested that the hospital authorities should not enter the various departments of the institutions.
Hospitals should not facilitate drug companies to provide free samples. The approval of the independent committee should be obtained before the drugs are sold in the pharmacy of health institutions. There is also a requirement not to show interest in any particular company. Saudi Arabia also puts forward a requirement that the authorities of the health institution should not accept money from medical companies into their accounts.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS: Saudi Arabia has issued strict instructions to health institutions not to accept free samples and gifts from companies