The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has introduced a new requirement mandating that medicines imported into Qatar must have no less than two-thirds of their shelf life remaining at the time they enter the country.

The decision was announced through an official circular issued by the Ministry’s Department of Pharmacy and Drug Control, as part of ongoing efforts to reinforce quality benchmarks and safeguard public health by ensuring the safety and effectiveness of pharmaceutical products available in the local market.

Under the directive, licensed pharmaceutical companies and authorized importers are instructed not to bring in medicines that fall short of this minimum shelf-life requirement. Exceptions may only be granted after securing formal approval from the Department of Pharmacy and Drug Control, in line with the conditions outlined in the approved Exemptions Guide.

MoPH confirmed that a comprehensive exemptions guide has been published on the Ministry’s official website and is also accessible through the Department of Pharmacy and Drug Control’s electronic system. The guide details the procedures and criteria for requesting and obtaining special approvals.

The Ministry cautioned that failure to adhere to the new guidelines including any misuse or inaccurate representation of exemption requests could lead to disciplinary measures. These may include the suspension or cancellation of exemption approvals, regulatory corrective actions, as well as intensified inspections and audits. Additional penalties may be enforced in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

MoPH emphasized that the new policy takes effect immediately and supersedes any prior instructions that contradict its provisions, reaffirming the Ministry’s commitment to maintaining high pharmaceutical standards across the country.