Kuwait’s Health Minister Dr Ahmad Al-Awadhi has issued a ministerial decision establishing new regulations governing the promotion of medicines and medical products, as well as interactions between pharmaceutical companies and their representatives at Ministry of Health facilities.
The decision forms part of the ministry’s efforts to strengthen the regulatory framework surrounding medicines and medical products, promote their rational use, and establish clear standards for scientific and institutional communication within health facilities.
Under the new regulations, visits by company representatives must be scheduled in advance and approved by the relevant authority.
Representatives are also required to hold valid permits to practice their profession and may conduct their activities only in designated meeting and medical-education areas.
The regulations prohibit company representatives from communicating directly with patients or accessing their health information.
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Engagement with technical committees and procurement departments must also be conducted exclusively through official channels.
The decision further requires all promotional materials to receive the necessary approval and stipulates that information presented about medicines and medical products must be accurate, balanced, properly documented and verifiable.
The ministry said the measures are intended to create a more professional and transparent environment for pharmaceutical and medical-product promotion while supporting sound professional practice and safeguarding patient safety.
