SFDA partners with KAU, KFSHRC and SPSC

The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) had a rather busy week at this year's Global Health Exhibition 2024 in Riyadh and has announced a series of partnership agreements. Here, we'll take a brief look at these agreements and why they matter.

King Abdulaziz University (KAU)

SFDA and KAU signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a comprehensive framework for cooperation in providing rehabilitation, training, consulting services, studies, and research, as well as facilitating the exchange of expertise, data, and statistics related to their activities.

The cooperation will support and develop innovation in medical devices and modern technologies. Additionally, it will involve the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for evaluating pharmaceutical preparations.

Key areas of collaboration include designating KAU laboratories as reference laboratories in specific fields; creating educational courses and programs focused on the legislation and regulations of medical devices and AI; submitting and publishing scientific materials and lectures; and facilitating the participation of both sides in exhibitions, conferences, and workshops organized in their shared fields.

King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSHRC)

SFDA has also signed a cooperation agreement with the KFSHRC to enhance the national safety database owned by the SFDA. The goal is to support safety research related to pharmaceutical products, contributing to regulatory decisions based on scientific evidence that improve community health and safety.

The agreement aims to contribute to the National Safety Database by providing necessary data to support research on the safety of pharmaceutical products. This, in turn, will contribute to regulatory decisions based on scientific evidence that help improve public health and safety.

The agreement will enhance research on the safety of pharmaceutical products, improve the quality of healthcare, reduce potential risks, develop modern safety standards that address emerging health challenges, and maximize the use of medical data in scientific research and studies that directly benefit individual and public health and safety.

Saudi Center for Patient Safety (SPSC)

The SFDA and the SPSC signed a MoU to foster cooperation and facilitate the exchange of experiences and knowledge. Specifically, the two parties will work areas such as exchanging data on safety events related to medicines and medical devices, developing and distributing educational materials to raise awareness, and sharing knowledge through training and education programs focused on quality and patient safety.

The MoU also covers collaboration in research, scientific expertise, and consulting. It includes the implementation of awareness campaigns, the provision of scientific opinions, innovation and research, and the application of emerging technologies.

Developing diagnostic laboratory equipment and advancing 3D printing in hospitals

Lastly, H.E. Dr. Hisham S. Aljadhey, SFDA's CEO, launched an initiative aimed at developing diagnostic laboratory equipment and advancing 3D printing in hospitals.

The initiative aims to foster innovation, research, and development while reducing costs for hospitals and medical laboratories. It also seeks to strengthen the national industry. Diagnostic laboratory equipment and reagents are provided for diagnostic and therapeutic use within hospitals and are not intended for commercial purposes.

This initiative aligns with the SFDA's efforts, reflecting its commitment to encouraging innovators and researchers, supporting national industries, and empowering investors regarding products under its oversight.