The Ministry of Health (MoH) has imposed collective fines of SR110,000 on three drug stores here and ordered their closure for the next 60 days for violating health norms.

“We have to take these punitive measures in the interest of patients, who depend on these facilities for various health services,” a senior official from the ministry told Arab News here.

In 2012, Health Minister Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah introduced the ‘Patients First’ program to ensure best health services to them.

In Riyadh, a pharmacy owner was fined SR60,000 for violating regulations including sale of expired pharmaceutical products, failure to renew the license of the pharmacy and absence of qualified pharmacists in the workplace.

“The closure of these facilities is based on reports submitted by the field inspection teams of the Directorate General of Health Affairs in the respective regions,” an MoH official said.

He said the team conducts regular inspection of private facilities in the region to check the quality of services offered in ambulance services, operation theaters and the professional suitability of medics and paramedics employed by these health institutions to ensure quality health care to patients.

Pointing out that the action taken against the management of these facilities reflected the ministry’s concern for the safety and welfare of patients, he warned that negligence and recklessness on the part of health providers will not be tolerated by the government and stern action will be taken against such violators based on the seriousness of the violations.

“We treat the private sector as strategic partners in providing health services to the people and we want them to offer quality services with a ‘Patients First’ vision in their ventures,” the official added.

Stressing the importance of public and private sector partnership, he said Al-Rabeeah values such partnership strategic to take the health care services to new heights.

Last year, the MoH closed 30 medical complexes, 15 polyclinics, 29 pharmacies, 27 optical houses and five physiotherapy centers for violations. During this period, the ministry also collected SR3.75 million in fines from such violators, which included SR1.98 million from pharmacies.

Dr. Ali Az-Zawawi, undersecretary to private sector facilities at the MoH, pointed out that in addition to 98,000 medical practitioners, various directorates of Health Affairs in all regions oversee 130 private hospitals, 2,000 polyclinics and 7,000 Pharmacies throughout the Kingdom.

Recently, the MoH opened a helpline for members of the public to lodge complaints about medical errors and health violations in the Kingdom.

“Members of the public can make their complaints online or they can directly fax the details for necessary action,” Az-Zawawi said, adding that they can make an online complaint on www.moh.gov.sa or fax 0112124196 to draw the urgent attention of the ministry.