31/12/2025
Share:
31/12/2025
Share:
Kuwait Health Ministry adds electronic leave to smart fingerprint system.
KUWAIT CITY, Dec 31: Minister of Health Dr. Ahmad Al-Awadhi issued nine new decisions on Wednesday, December 31, covering regulations related to handling of stem cells, pharmacovigilance, promotion of medical devices, distribution of health, herbal, and veterinary products, and violations committed by private pharmacies.
Stem Cells
The first decision sets the foundations, standards, and technical and administrative procedures for regulating stem cell-related activities. In an official statement, the Ministry of Health explained that this move is part of a national initiative to strengthen the legislative and regulatory framework in the field of cellular medicine, and ensure the safe and responsible use of stem cells in line with international scientific standards. The decision refl ects the ministry’s commitment to the establishment of a national stockpile of stem cells and umbilical cord blood and aims to develop Kuwait’s capabilities in cellular therapy. This will help meet patient needs locally and reduce the necessity of seeking treatment abroad. The decision also introduces clear regulations to prevent misuse of stem cells, protect donor privacy, and safeguard patient rights. It outlines the responsibilities of relevant health authorities in preserving, processing, and freezing stem cells in accordance with approved standards. Strict rules were included prohibiting the sale, purchase, trafficking, storage, transfer, or advertising of stem cells without an official license.
The first decision sets the foundations, standards, and technical and administrative procedures for regulating stem cell-related activities. In an official statement, the Ministry of Health explained that this move is part of a national initiative to strengthen the legislative and regulatory framework in the field of cellular medicine, and ensure the safe and responsible use of stem cells in line with international scientific standards. The decision refl ects the ministry’s commitment to the establishment of a national stockpile of stem cells and umbilical cord blood and aims to develop Kuwait’s capabilities in cellular therapy. This will help meet patient needs locally and reduce the necessity of seeking treatment abroad. The decision also introduces clear regulations to prevent misuse of stem cells, protect donor privacy, and safeguard patient rights. It outlines the responsibilities of relevant health authorities in preserving, processing, and freezing stem cells in accordance with approved standards. Strict rules were included prohibiting the sale, purchase, trafficking, storage, transfer, or advertising of stem cells without an official license.
Drug Safety
The second decision issued by the Minister of Health is related to adopting the Kuwaiti Pharmacovigilance Guidelines as an official and binding framework to regulate practices and procedures for monitoring the safety of medicines and medical products. This move enhances drug safety, strengthens regulatory oversight in the health sector in line with international standards, and supports the protection of patients and the community.
The second decision issued by the Minister of Health is related to adopting the Kuwaiti Pharmacovigilance Guidelines as an official and binding framework to regulate practices and procedures for monitoring the safety of medicines and medical products. This move enhances drug safety, strengthens regulatory oversight in the health sector in line with international standards, and supports the protection of patients and the community.
Medical Devices
In his third decision, Minister Dr. Al-Awadhi prohibited the advertising or promotion of medical devices before obtaining official approvals. The decision aims to strengthen control over medical devices, ensure their quality before distribution, safeguard patient safety, and improve the efficiency of healthcare services in line with global best practices.
In his third decision, Minister Dr. Al-Awadhi prohibited the advertising or promotion of medical devices before obtaining official approvals. The decision aims to strengthen control over medical devices, ensure their quality before distribution, safeguard patient safety, and improve the efficiency of healthcare services in line with global best practices.
Pharmaco vigilance
Dr. Al-Awadhi issued his fourth decision for regulating inspection and auditing mechanisms in the field of pharmacovigilance. This ensures effective field monitoring and systematic evaluation of policies and procedures related to the safety of medicines and medical products in Kuwait. It emphasizes the importance of establishing a comprehensive regulatory system based on scientific methods to monitor drug risks and verify the compliance of both public and private healthcare institutions with approved pharmacovigilance regulations. The decision also aims to enhance the efficiency of healthcare professionals and strengthen the performance of relevant authorities to protect patients while ensuring the highest standards of safety and rational drug use.
Dr. Al-Awadhi issued his fourth decision for regulating inspection and auditing mechanisms in the field of pharmacovigilance. This ensures effective field monitoring and systematic evaluation of policies and procedures related to the safety of medicines and medical products in Kuwait. It emphasizes the importance of establishing a comprehensive regulatory system based on scientific methods to monitor drug risks and verify the compliance of both public and private healthcare institutions with approved pharmacovigilance regulations. The decision also aims to enhance the efficiency of healthcare professionals and strengthen the performance of relevant authorities to protect patients while ensuring the highest standards of safety and rational drug use.
Health Products
The minister issued a fifth decision to regulate the registration and distribution of health products in Kuwait. This regulatory measure aims to strengthen the healthcare safety system, ensure the quality of products on the market, and protect public health from products or practices that do not meet approved standards. The decision stipulates that all health products intended for marketing in Kuwait must undergo strict registration and monitoring procedures. It also sets stringent requirements regarding the ingredients of health products, prohibiting undeclared active ingredients, substances with pharmaceutical properties classified as drugs, or any narcotic, toxic, or banned substances under national law. In addition, the decision bans the use of pork derivatives, substances harmful to human health, and internationally prohibited compounds such as selective androgen receptor modulators.
The minister issued a fifth decision to regulate the registration and distribution of health products in Kuwait. This regulatory measure aims to strengthen the healthcare safety system, ensure the quality of products on the market, and protect public health from products or practices that do not meet approved standards. The decision stipulates that all health products intended for marketing in Kuwait must undergo strict registration and monitoring procedures. It also sets stringent requirements regarding the ingredients of health products, prohibiting undeclared active ingredients, substances with pharmaceutical properties classified as drugs, or any narcotic, toxic, or banned substances under national law. In addition, the decision bans the use of pork derivatives, substances harmful to human health, and internationally prohibited compounds such as selective androgen receptor modulators.
Herbal Products
The Minister of Health issued his sixth decision for regulating the registration and distribution of herbal medicines and products in Kuwait. This decision addresses the growing use of herbal products and aims to ensure proper control and regulation of the market. It seeks to clearly distinguish between products of therapeutic nature, which are subject to pharmaceutical oversight, and those that do not meet approved scientific and regulatory standards. The decision also aligns national legislation with international best practices. Strict regulatory requirements were set regarding product ingredients, including a ban on registering any product containing prohibited substances or plants, as defined under Decree Law No. 159/2025 on combating narcotics and psychotropic substances and regulating their use and trade.
The Minister of Health issued his sixth decision for regulating the registration and distribution of herbal medicines and products in Kuwait. This decision addresses the growing use of herbal products and aims to ensure proper control and regulation of the market. It seeks to clearly distinguish between products of therapeutic nature, which are subject to pharmaceutical oversight, and those that do not meet approved scientific and regulatory standards. The decision also aligns national legislation with international best practices. Strict regulatory requirements were set regarding product ingredients, including a ban on registering any product containing prohibited substances or plants, as defined under Decree Law No. 159/2025 on combating narcotics and psychotropic substances and regulating their use and trade.
Violations by Pharmacies
Dr. Al-Awadhi issued his seventh decision on establishing a specialized committee to review violations by private pharmacies and breaches related to the distribution of medicines and medical products. The decision aims to strengthen pharmaceutical oversight and ensure strict compliance with the laws and regulations governing pharmacy practice in Kuwait. The committee’s mandate includes reviewing violations not covered by penal provisions in specific regulatory laws, as well as examining breaches by companies supplying medicines and medical products, and by pharmacies and shops selling medicines and veterinary products, in accordance with applicable laws, decisions, and regulations.
Dr. Al-Awadhi issued his seventh decision on establishing a specialized committee to review violations by private pharmacies and breaches related to the distribution of medicines and medical products. The decision aims to strengthen pharmaceutical oversight and ensure strict compliance with the laws and regulations governing pharmacy practice in Kuwait. The committee’s mandate includes reviewing violations not covered by penal provisions in specific regulatory laws, as well as examining breaches by companies supplying medicines and medical products, and by pharmacies and shops selling medicines and veterinary products, in accordance with applicable laws, decisions, and regulations.
Veterinary Products
Dr. Al-Awadhi issued his eighth decision requiring companies supplying veterinary medicines and products to submit sales records and invoices. This regulatory measure aims to strengthen oversight of veterinary product circulation and ensure strict tracking from source to end user for enhancing safety and protecting public health.
Dr. Al-Awadhi issued his eighth decision requiring companies supplying veterinary medicines and products to submit sales records and invoices. This regulatory measure aims to strengthen oversight of veterinary product circulation and ensure strict tracking from source to end user for enhancing safety and protecting public health.
Professional Practice Licenses
The Minister of Health issued Ministerial Decree No. 298/2025 for amending certain provisions of the same decree to reflect practical experience and address the circumstances of physicians on scholarships or holding advanced qualifications, whether from accredited programs, fellowships, or training institutions abroad. The decree aims to maintain the stability of the healthcare system and ensure compliance with professional and financial obligations related to scholarships. To obtain a license to practice medicine or dentistry in the private sector, either fully or partially, for holders of advanced (post-bachelor’s) qualifications, applicants must submit specific documents, which include:
- A statement from the Kuwait Institute for Medical Specializations detailing the required public-sector service period
- A confirmation from the Ministry of Health’s Administrative Affairs Department verifying completion of professional practice in the public sector
- A financial clearance certificate for scholarship recipients issued by the relevant authorities confirming no outstanding financial obligations
The Minister of Health issued Ministerial Decree No. 298/2025 for amending certain provisions of the same decree to reflect practical experience and address the circumstances of physicians on scholarships or holding advanced qualifications, whether from accredited programs, fellowships, or training institutions abroad. The decree aims to maintain the stability of the healthcare system and ensure compliance with professional and financial obligations related to scholarships. To obtain a license to practice medicine or dentistry in the private sector, either fully or partially, for holders of advanced (post-bachelor’s) qualifications, applicants must submit specific documents, which include:
- A statement from the Kuwait Institute for Medical Specializations detailing the required public-sector service period
- A confirmation from the Ministry of Health’s Administrative Affairs Department verifying completion of professional practice in the public sector
- A financial clearance certificate for scholarship recipients issued by the relevant authorities confirming no outstanding financial obligations
By Marwa Al-Bahrawi Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff
