Saudi Arabia Enforces Pharmacy Saudization Policy
Saudi Arabia is putting its pharmacy Saudization policy into effect today, which mandates that pharmacies and healthcare facilities hire more Saudi nationals to meet the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 employment goals.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development and the Ministry of Health are working together to implement the initiative, which aims to change the labor market and increase the number of Saudis in skilled jobs. The new rules go into effect on Sunday and require Saudis to hold at least 35% of the positions in private medical facilities and community pharmacies.
The rate increases to 65% in hospital pharmacy operations and to 55% in pharmaceutical manufacturing and distribution firms. The January 26, 2025, Ministerial Resolution No. (103111) supports the new employment thresholds.
According to a related initiative, dental professionals must earn at least SAR 9,000 to be eligible for Saudization quotas, while the updated procedural guide also establishes a minimum salary of SAR 7,000 for registered Saudi pharmacists. The guide lists 21 job titles that are covered by the policy, such as laboratory trainers, pharmaceutical consultants, general pharmacists, clinical pharmacists, and pharmacy sales specialists.
The Kingdom is home to between 13,000 and 14,000 pharmacies, 80–85% of which are private community businesses, according to official estimates. Nationwide, major pharmacy chains have more than 3,000 locations. According to government data, this large sector’s employment structure may change if the Saudization policy is implemented.
Employers must start meeting the new quotas on July 27, 2025, the Ministry of Human Resources said in a statement, urging healthcare sector organizations to closely follow the revised guidelines and contribute to the creation of a “stable and productive national workforce.”
The pharmacy program is one of several reforms aimed at professional Saudization in high-value industries. New quotas also apply to engineering and dentistry positions right now.
Two phases will see the Saudiization of dentistry jobs: 45% will start right away and rise to 55% in a year. Any facility that employs three or more dentists is subject to the policy. Similarly, companies that employ five or more people in technical engineering roles are now required to Saudiize those positions by 30 percent. Social insurance records show that Saudi technicians must make at least SAR 5,000 a month to be eligible.
The Kingdom is also moving forward with its plan to Saudiize the accounting industry. As of right now, Saudis must hold at least 40% of accounting positions in private sector companies with five or more accountants.
Over a five-year period, this goal will progressively increase to 70%. Pay must be at least SAR 6,000 for those with a bachelor’s degree and SAR 4,500 for those with a diploma. To be included in Saudization statistics, Saudi accountants must also possess professional certification from the Saudi Organization for Certified Public Accountants (SOCPA).
