Are common prescription medications available in Saudi Arabia?

When we asked expats in Saudi Arabia if common prescription medications are available in Saudi Arabia, they wrote...

"Yes, common prescription medications are available in Saudi Arabia. Most medications can be obtained from pharmacies, although some may require a prescription from a doctor. The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) regulates the availability of medications in the country, and all medications must be approved by the SFDA before they can be sold. Additionally, some medications may be subject to additional restrictions, such as age or gender restrictions," remarked another expat in Saudi Arabia.

"You can get anything at any corner pharmacy without any prescription. the exception are birth control pills or homonal replacement therapy. They are cheap," said a member in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

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Are common prescription medications available in Saudi Arabia?

If you live in Saudi Arabia, newcomers to Saudi Arabia would love to hear your answer to this question:

About the Author

Joshua Wood, LPC is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange and serves as Co-President of Expat Exchange. Prior to Expat Exchange and Digital Nomad Exchange, Joshua worked for NBC Cable (MSNBC and CNBC Primetime). Joshua has a BA from Syracuse and a Master's in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Mr. Wood is also a licensed counselor and psychotherapist.

Some of Joshua's articles include Pros and Cons of Living in Portugal, 10 Best Places to Live in Ireland and Pros and Cons of Living in Uruguay. Connect with Joshua on LinkedIn.