The Ministry of Public Health in Qatar has announced that pharmaceutical companies must print essential information about human medicinal products in Braille on their outer packaging starting November 2027. The new regulation requires the name of the medicine, its active ingredient, and strength to be printed in Braille in both Arabic and English.
The Ministry has issued a circular outlining the new requirement, which will be implemented gradually. The Guideline on the Braille Requirements for Labelling Information of Medicinal Products for Human Use has also been released, defining the technical and regulatory standards for implementation. According to Dr. Ghanim Ali Al Mannai, Assistant Undersecretary for Healthcare Regulatory Affairs at the Ministry of Public Health, the measure aims to enhance medication awareness across all segments of society.
Enhancing Accessibility through Braille Labelling
The new regulation is part of the Ministry’s efforts to facilitate safe access to and use of pharmaceutical products by people who are blind or visually impaired. Dr. Al Mannai noted that this aligns with the priorities of the National Health Strategy (NHS), which seeks to improve population health and wellbeing, deliver excellence in healthcare services and patient experience, and promote quality, key enablers, and sustainability.
By printing essential information in Braille, pharmaceutical companies can help ensure that people with visual impairments have equal access to medication information. The Ministry has stated that the Pharmacy and Drug Control Department will monitor implementation at all stages of pharmaceutical product registration, including new registrations, renewals, and modification requests.
Implementation and Compliance
The Ministry will verify compliance during inspection and regulatory visits carried out by the Department’s teams to pharmacies and drug warehouses. Dr. Al Mannai emphasized that the guideline is available on the Ministry of Public Health’s website and within the electronic Pharmacy and Drug Control system, making it easily accessible to pharmaceutical companies.
As the implementation deadline approaches, pharmaceutical companies are expected to adapt their labelling processes to meet the new requirements. However, it remains to be seen how the Ministry will address potential challenges, such as ensuring consistency in Braille labelling across different products and manufacturers.
Braille: A Global Standard for Accessibility
Braille is an internationally recognized system of reading and writing for people who are blind or visually impaired. The use of Braille labelling on pharmaceutical products is a significant step towards enhancing accessibility and promoting inclusivity in the healthcare sector. According to the Ministry, the new regulation is expected to improve access to information about medical products for people with visual impairments.
As Qatar continues to prioritize healthcare accessibility, the implementation of Braille labelling on pharmaceutical products is a notable development. With the deadline for compliance set for November 2027, the Ministry is expected to provide further guidance and support to pharmaceutical companies to ensure a smooth transition. The impact of this regulation on the pharmaceutical industry and people with visual impairments will be closely watched in the coming months.
