In a move to regulate the use and circulation of psychotropic substances, the Ministry of Health has decided to halt the dispensing and sale of Lyrica, a medication containing Pregabalin and Gabapentin, in private pharmacies and private hospital pharmacies. This decision comes following a recommendation from the Joint Committee for Coordinating Work in Implementing the Provisions of Laws No. 74 of 1983 and 48 of 1987, which focuses on combating narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.

The Minister of Health, Dr. Ahmed Al-Awadi, issued a ministerial decision that transfers Pregabalin and Gabapentin from Table No. 4 to Table No. 2. Substances and preparations may be dispensed in both the government and private sectors under Table No. 4, whereas Table No. 2 restricts dispensing to Ministry of Health facilities only. It was decided to take this step after observing significant increases in the prescription of these substances in certain private institutions.

Previously, the Minister of Health issued another decision that required the establishment of a central electronic system under its supervision. In this system, prescriptions for psychotropic substances and preparations dispensed by private pharmacies are monitored. Moreover, private pharmacies authorized to trade in psychotropic substance preparations were required to register in the electronic system, following the specified conditions and procedures.

Following the recent decision, the Minister of Health has instructed all pharmacies to cease dispensing and selling prescriptions for preparations containing Pregabalin and Gabapentin in private pharmacies and private hospital pharmacies. This directive will take effect immediately upon publication of the first decision in the Official Gazette. A grace period of two weeks has been granted to pharmacies affected by the first ministerial decision to return or destroy any seized quantities of preparations containing the two substances.

According to the Ministry of Health, the Drug Inspection Department has been authorized to seize the available quantities in private sector pharmacies and return them to the source (the local agent) or destroy them following the approved process. Within one month of the publication of the first ministerial decision, the process must be completed.

A detailed report on the implementation of these measures has been assigned to the Assistant Undersecretary for Pharmaceutical Control Affairs. This decision to halt the dispensing and sale of Lyrica in private pharmacies aims to ensure the proper regulation and control of psychotropic substances. These recommendations are in line with those of the International Narcotics Control Board of the United Nations and the Joint Committee responsible for enforcing laws related to narcotics and psychotropics.