JEDDAH: The Saudi Food and Drugs Authority (SFDA) will begin receiving clearance applications for medicines and medical supplies, including drugs containing narcotic or psychotropic substances, for Haj missions or other government bodies on Saturday.

The move comes after the authorities specified the procedures and controls for clearance.

The SFDA said the Haj missions concerned should submit the clearance application to the customs checkpoint where the medicines and medical supplies will arrive. The name of the pharmacist or the technical officer accompanying the mission who is in charge of narcotic or psychotropic substances must be stated in the application.

The authorities directed the application be accompanied by an undertaking stating the use of medicines and medical supplies will be limited to the mission personnel and that there will be no additional sale or disposal of the substances by any means. The undertaking should also state that the remaining or damaged part of the package be returned along, with a per diem statement of expenses and reasons.

The SFDA stipulated that the application be accompanied by a statement of the required medicines approved by the competent authority of the country of the mission, including the scientific name of the medicines, the pharmaceutical forms and other specifications with an electronic copy of the list on Excel software.