Health Ministry: Prescription reviews and medication safety are core pharmacist duties

RIYADH — The Ministry of Health has affirmed that reviewing prescriptions and verifying medication safety are among the pharmacist’s core responsibilities. It emphasized the need to adhere to professional standards and use appropriate channels when raising concerns about treatment to ensure patient safety and foster trust among healthcare team members.The ministry said, through its “937” account on the “X” platform, that Article 23 of the Law of Practicing Healthcare Professions prohibits dispensing medication if there is any suspicion of an error in the prescription. In such cases, clarification must be sought from the prescribing physician before any action is taken. The ministry explained that the law prohibits pharmacists from altering the contents of a prescription without the prescribing physician’s approval, while respecting regulatory exceptions governing the dispensing of equivalent medication alternatives. The ministry also underscored the importance of healthcare practitioners upholding professional ethics in their discussions, noting that Article 24 of the law requires healthcare professionals to cooperate and maintain mutual trust while prohibiting disparagement or abuse of colleagues. It emphasized that discussions concerning treatment-related observations must be grounded in scientific principles and conducted with professional respect through appropriate channels to ensure patient safety and maintain patients’ trust in the healthcare team.The ministry further stressed that any breach of these professional obligations may expose the violator to disciplinary action in accordance with applicable regulations and bylaws.