The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) announced the imposition of strict financial penalties on 34 violating pharmacies, as part of its intensive inspection tours during January 2026. The total fines imposed amounted to approximately 4.2 million Saudi riyals, as a result of these establishments' failure to comply with the regulations and bylaws related to providing pharmaceutical products and reporting their movement immediately through the approved electronic tracking system “Rasad”.

Details of observed violations

The authority revealed in its statement that the violations detected varied in nature, but all fell under the category of compromising pharmaceutical security. These violations included facilities failing to report anticipated shortages or disruptions in drug supplies well in advance, thus preventing the implementation of necessary measures. Furthermore, they neglected to provide immediate and real-time reporting on drug movement within the supply chain. The authority also observed a clear breach of the minimum mandatory drug inventory requirements designed to ensure patient needs are met for specific periods, a serious violation that jeopardizes public health and safety.

The “Monitoring” system and its strategic role in drug security

This decisive measure underscores the paramount importance that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia places on the pharmaceutical sector. The electronic tracking system for pharmaceutical products, "Rasad," is a cornerstone of the healthcare sector's digital transformation strategy. This advanced system aims to track human medicines with extreme precision from the moment they leave the production lines in factories, through storage warehouses and distribution points, until they reach the end consumer. The system's significance lies in its ability to combat commercial fraud and prevent the circulation of expired or counterfeit medications, thereby enhancing drug safety and bolstering consumer confidence in the healthcare system.

Regulatory sanctions and their impact on compliance

In a related context, the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) emphasized that penalties stipulated by applicable regulations are not limited to fines, but can reach a maximum of 5 million riyals per establishment. The SFDA clarified that punitive measures may escalate to include the temporary closure of the violating pharmacy for up to 180 days, or even the permanent revocation of its license in cases of serious violations. These stringent penalties aim to deter violators and ensure everyone adheres to strict health standards.

Call to comply with regulations

The authority concluded its statement by urging all pharmaceutical establishments and those working in the drug sector to fully comply with the approved regulations and instructions, and to take the "Rasad" system seriously. It emphasized that protecting public health and ensuring the availability of medicine for citizens and residents is a red line that cannot be crossed, noting that its monitoring tours will continue regularly to regulate the market and guarantee the continuous and efficient supply of medicines.

The Iraqi Media and Communications Commission issued strict penalties against journalist Marwa Hashem and the "Iraq Al-Hadath" channel, following the detection of serious professional violations in the program "Sawt Shaab" (Voice of the People). These penalties are part of the commission's oversight role to regulate the media landscape and ensure that media outlets adhere to professional and ethical broadcasting standards.

Details of penalties and binding procedures

According to the official statement issued by the authority, the program "Voice of the People" was suspended for 30 days, and its presenter, journalist Marwa Hashem, was banned from appearing on television for 90 days (three months). The authority did not stop at suspension; it also mandated that the channel remove the episode containing the violation from all its platforms and issue a formal and public apology to the Ministry of Interior and the affected officer. The authority based its decisions on its legal powers, asserting that the episode broadcast on January 27, 2026, contained serious violations of the approved broadcasting regulations.

The nature of the violation and misleading public opinion

The commission clarified that the observed violations were not mere isolated lapses, but rather included the dissemination of fabricated visual content shared from social media platforms without verification. This content contained unethical allegations against an officer of the Iraqi Ministry of Interior, which constituted incitement to violence and a violation of public decency and morality. The commission indicated that the lack of accuracy and transparency in disseminating information contributed to misleading public opinion and damaging the reputation of the national security institution, which is a clear breach of regulations.

Context of regulating digital and traditional media

This incident highlights the growing challenges facing traditional media in the face of the dominance of social media. The Media and Communications Commission is continuously working to establish regulations that curb the spread of "fake news" or fabricated content from the unregulated online sphere to television screens, which are supposed to be highly credible. Relying on social media content without filtering or verifying its accuracy is one of the most prominent mistakes made by some talk shows in their pursuit of sensationalism, necessitating firm regulatory intervention to protect society from rumors.

The importance of preserving the prestige of security institutions

From a professional and national perspective, this decision is of particular importance given its connection to the security establishment. While the constitution and the law guarantee freedom of expression and the press, this freedom is limited by the bounds of defamation or unsubstantiated slander, especially when it concerns officers and personnel of the Ministry of Interior, who represent a cornerstone of security and stability. The measures taken by the authority reflect the need for a balance between constructive criticism and personal attacks that could undermine trust between citizens and security agencies, emphasizing that media platforms should be tools for building and uncovering the truth, not instruments of destruction and spreading falsehoods.

As part of the ongoing care that the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia provides to its citizens abroad, the Air Medical Evacuation Plane of the Ministry of Defense Health Services carried out a successful transfer of three Saudi citizens from Cairo International Airport in the Arab Republic of Egypt to the homeland, in order to complete their treatment journey and receive the necessary health care in specialized hospitals in the Kingdom.

This step was taken through direct coordination and close follow-up by the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Cairo, which worked alongside the relevant Egyptian authorities to facilitate all transfer procedures and ensure the patients' safety until they boarded the specially equipped aircraft. The Embassy confirmed in a statement that this measure stems from its ongoing commitment to monitoring the well-being of its citizens, ensuring their safety, and providing them with all forms of support and assistance, especially in emergency situations and critical health conditions.

Saudi air medical evacuation capabilities

The Saudi Ministry of Defense's air medical evacuation fleet is one of the most advanced in the region, possessing aircraft equipped as "flying hospitals" with the latest medical technologies and mobile intensive care units. These services play a pivotal role in the Kingdom's healthcare system, extending beyond military operations to encompass humanitarian needs and serving citizens whose conditions cannot be treated locally. This reflects the high level of preparedness of Saudi medical personnel and pilots in handling various critical cases.

The diplomatic role in caring for citizens

This incident highlights the vital role played by Saudi diplomatic missions abroad, whose work extends beyond political representation to include the social and health care of Saudi citizens. The embassies operate under the directives of the wise leadership, which places the health and safety of citizens at the forefront of its priorities, regardless of their location. The seamless cooperation between the embassy and the Egyptian authorities demonstrates the depth of the fraternal relations between the two brotherly countries, contributing to the swift implementation of the necessary administrative and security procedures for medical evacuations.

The embassy concluded its statement by expressing its sincere thanks and appreciation to all the medical and administrative bodies that contributed to the success of this humanitarian mission, wishing the three citizens a speedy recovery and a safe return to their families in good health.