RIYADH – The move by the Ministry of Labor and Social Development to Saudize the pharmacy sector is expected to create 25,000 jobs for Saudi pharmacists. "The move will create jobs for 24,387 graduates of pharmacy colleges across the Kingdom," said an official at the Health Ministry's public relations department. The are a total of 8,129 private pharmacies in the Kingdom while 1,454 have completed procedures for obtaining license, he said. This is in addition to 147 pharmacies operating inside hospitals. At least three pharmacists work in every pharmacy while their number crosses 10 in some busy ones. "If we assume that existing pharmacies employ at least three pharmacists, the Saudization mover will create jobs for 24,387 Saudi pharmacists," the official told Okaz/Saudi Gazette. He estimated the number of pharmacists working in 147 hospitals at 2,205. A total of 1,454 pharmacies are expected to be licensed shortly, generating jobs for 4,362 others. The news about the Saudization move has made unemployed Saudi pharmacists happy. "This decision is a big relief for pharmacy graduates like me," said Fatma Hazazi, a graduate of pharmacy from King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah. "I have been working as a receptionist at a private hospital for several years. The move gives me big hope," she added. Hazazi said many pharmacies have become stores for selling cosmetics. Firdous Turkistani, another pharmacy graduate, does not find any problem in working at pharmacies that sell cosmetics. "Women know better about cosmetics," she said. However, she said for every job, there were experts specialized in that particular field. The Health Ministry official emphasized the good coordination between the two ministries to create jobs for Saudi pharmacy graduates. Ibrahim Badawi, a member of the pharmacy committee at Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, stressed the need for maintaining some distance between two pharmacies. "I have seen six pharmacies side by side in one street," he added. Meanwhile, Dr. Anas Zarie, a consultant of medicine, opposed the ministry's move to commercialize operation of pharmacies, saying it would undermine its humanitarian role. "We have to follow international standards while giving licenses to pharmacies. A pharmacy is supposed to serve 4,000 to 5,000 people," he explained. Badawi called upon investors in the field to provide necessary facilities for female pharmacists such as places for rest and prayer areas. "I am sure that investors would be happy to appoint female pharmacists who can do the job efficiently," he said. Private pharmacies give a basic salary of between SR3,500 and SR6,000 depending on qualification and experience. They pay bonus to workers on the basis of sales. Private pharmacies refuse to appoint Saudis because of the increasing cost. The annual cost for appointing a foreign pharmacist will not exceed SR48,000. A Saudi pharmacist who works now as a medical representative said he did not receive a good salary, even though he graduated at a time when there was big demand for Saudi pharmacists. Another Saudi pharmacist complained that pharmaceutical companies employ only experienced Saudis. "How can we gain experience then?" Hani who studied at King Abdulaziz University for seven years has said he works as an assistant pharmacist for a basic salary of SR2,500. "This salary is nothing considering the working hours," he added. Aayed, another pharmacist, agreed. "Jobs at private pharmacies are not very encouraging and satisfactory in terms of salary and working hours," he said. Reem Abdullah welcomed the ministry's move to Saudize jobs in the sector saying it would help many unemployed Saudi female graduates to land suitable jobs.
