DAMMAM: The prices of dietary supplements, particularly vitamins and proteins, have been found to be skyrocketing, despite efforts by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to control inflation.

A survey by an online newspaper found a huge disparity in the prices of dietary supplements, ranging from two to 12 times between pharmacies and online marketing websites.

Dr. Mohammad Ali, director of media affairs and training at a medical company, was quoted as saying that the rules of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) related to dietary supplements have contributed to the price instability.

He said the disparity in prices of these supplements was due to the differences in their production and quality through various firms in developed and developing countries; the cost of production; the greed of the supplier; and competitive products that are available online.

Sources were quoted as saying that the prices of these dietary supplements were not stable because it was mandatory for them to be registered with the SFDA.

The authorities had earlier made it mandatory to register all food supplements and had allowed imports through agents, reducing competition and greed of agents, the sources said.

“However, the SFDA revised the rules and allowed non-agents to import these items, provided that the products are registered,” the sources added.