Kuwait tightens controls on ketamine, sedatives and veterinary steroids
. . . to prevent misuse and diversion
- The decision becomes effective upon publication in the Official Gazette, with legal and administrative penalties applying to violations.
Minister of Health, Dr. Ahmad Al-Awadhi, has issued a new decision tightening controls on the sale and dispensing of prescription veterinary medicines, as part of broader cooperation between the Ministries of Health and Interior to prevent the misuse and diversion of narcotic and psychotropic substances.
Under the decision, ketamine, anesthetics, sedatives, hormones, anabolic and androgenic steroids, and several other veterinary medicines may only be dispensed with a prescription issued by a veterinarian licensed to practice in Kuwait. The rules apply to veterinary pharmacies regardless of the pharmaceutical form of the medicine.
The controlled list includes ketamine and dexmedetomidine, as well as hormones such as cyproterone acetate, corticosteroids and oxytocin. It also covers anabolic and androgenic substances including nandrolone decanoate and finasteride, with the tighter controls intended to prevent their diversion for non-therapeutic uses, including bodybuilding and muscle-building.
The decision also extends prescription requirements to a broad range of antimicrobial medicines, including antibiotics, antiprotozoals, antifungals, antivirals and anthelmintics. Atomoxetine, a central nervous system drug, is also included in the prescription-only framework.
Veterinary prescriptions must contain detailed information about the animal, its owner and the treatment. This includes the animal’s species, number, sex, age, weight, microchip number and diagnosis, as well as the medicine’s name, concentration, dosage, method and frequency of administration, treatment duration and storage instructions.
For animals raised for food production, the prescription must also specify the drug withdrawal period to help prevent harmful residues from entering the food supply. The decision introduces strict record-keeping and inventory requirements.
Veterinary pharmacy managers must maintain an official, sequentially numbered and Ministry of Health-stamped register recording quantities received, dispensed and remaining in stock. Purchase invoices and prescriptions must be retained for at least six months.
Pharmaceutical company agents must also submit an initial inventory of covered medicines within one month of the decision taking effect, followed by monthly reports on quantities received and dispensed.
The Pharmaceutical Inspection and Licensing Department will oversee implementation, inspect records and report violations for appropriate action. Veterinary pharmacies must also appoint a qualified manager who is either a licensed pharmacist or veterinarian.
The decision will take effect upon publication in the Official Gazette, with legal and administrative penalties applying to violations.
