What is the advice on bringing medicines for personal use in Saudi Arabia?

Saudi Food and Drug Administration (SFDA)’s Guidelines on the import of medicines to Saudi Arabia, including lists of controlled substances, may be seen  on SFDA website.

According to these guidelines:

It is illegal to import drugs or medical materials that are banned in Saudi Arabia or internationally;

It is illegal to import drugs listed in Table 1 in Schedule D and Table 2 in Schedule A, as well as items listed in Article (4) of the Drugs and Narcotics Control Law (SFDA website)

Drugs [other than those mentioned in (1) and (2) above] meant for personal use may be cleared by the Saudi authorities for import into the Kingdom subject to the following conditions:

• Patients may bring medicines for personal use, for usage not exceeding the period of stay or a maximum of 30 days whichever is less, and in its original packing, along with:
• medical report, not more than 6 months old, issued by the treating authority with personal information of the patient, medical diagnosis, treatment plan with duration, medical recommendations, generic and brand name of the medicine with prescribed dose, with translation in Arabic.
• authentic prescription, not more than 6 months old, issued by the treating authority  with a diagnosis of disease, generic and brand name of the medicine with prescribed dose, method of usage and duration of treatment, with the seal of the treating authority, with translation in Arabic,
• undertaking by the patient that the medicine is to be used by him only (with Arabic translation)
• ID proof of the patient.
• If the medicine is not brought by the patient but his/her relatives (parents, sons, brothers, and husband), a copy of his ID proof has to be taken.
• If the medicine is brought by a patient’s representative, a copy of ID proof and permission letter to bring the medicine by the patient (with Arabic translation) is to be enclosed.
• For continuing treatment with the same medication, patients should contact local doctors and medicines obtained from the local market.
• If the required medicine or alternate is not available in the local market, then the Saudi hospital where the patient is being treated may obtain the same through a local distributor after approval by Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA).
• DISCLAIMER: Please note that the above information is based on the guidelines provided by Saudi authorities. The Embassy/Consulate shall not be responsible for any inconvenience/ damages caused on account of bringing any medicines to Saudi Arabia.