Yemen Monitor / Newsroom:
Yemeni Minister of Public Health and Population, Qassem Buhaibeh, has issued a strict directive ordering stronger pharmaceutical oversight to prevent the circulation of smuggled, unregistered, or expired medicines in local markets.
The minister called for enhanced coordination with the Supreme Board of Drugs and Medical Appliances, as well as security and judicial authorities, to ensure the integrity of medical supply sources and to take action against violators.
He instructed provincial health offices to carry out regular and unannounced inspection campaigns covering pharmacies, drug warehouses, hospitals, and both public and private medical centers. The inspections are intended to verify compliance with legal and technical requirements, quality standards, and patient safety regulations.
The directive also emphasized increased monitoring of the prices of medical services and medicines, requiring healthcare facilities to clearly display their prices for the public. It prohibits the imposition of unauthorized fees and calls for activating a public complaints mechanism to address pricing violations firmly.
The directive concludes by requiring strict legal action against non-compliant facilities, with penalties ranging from warnings to temporary or permanent closure and referral to the public prosecution. Provincial health offices are also required to submit comprehensive monthly reports to the ministry to assess the overall health sector situation.
