King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre partners with Saudi Food and Drug Authority to enhance pharmaceutical safety

SAUDI ARABIA—King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (KFSHRC) has partnered with the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) to enhance the national safety database with critical data assets.

This collaboration aims to support research on the safety and security of pharmaceutical products, contributing to evidence-based decisions that will strengthen public health regulations and ensure safer pharmaceutical practices.

The formal agreement was signed by KFSHRC’s CEO, H.E. Dr Majid bin Ibrahim Alfayyadh, and SFDA’s CEO, H.E. Dr Hisham bin Saad Aljadhey, during the Global Health Exhibition in Riyadh.

Several executives from both organisations, as well as exhibition attendees, witnessed the signing.

Under this partnership, KFSHRC and SFDA have committed to adhering to stringent cybersecurity and privacy protocols, employing advanced encryption technologies approved by regulators.

 These measures will ensure the confidentiality and integrity of data during its transmission and exchange.

 The data to be shared includes a range of demographic and medical information, such as age, gender, marital status, chronic diseases, surgeries, medical examinations, and diagnostic procedures.

This agreement is part of broader efforts to advance pharmaceutical safety research, with the goal of improving healthcare quality, minimizing risks associated with pharmaceuticals, and developing modern safety standards that address the ever-evolving challenges in health.

By leveraging this data, both organisations aim to maximize the benefits of medical information in supporting research and scientific studies that contribute to the well-being of individuals and the broader community.

KFSHRC pioneers robotic heart transplant

In addition to this landmark partnership, Dr. Majid Al Fayyad, CEO of King Fahad Specialist Hospital and Research Center (KFSHRC), has revealed that the hospital is expanding its use of robotic surgery across all operating rooms.

Speaking at a panel discussion on innovation in healthcare at the Global Health Exhibition, Dr. Al Fayyad highlighted that the hospital recently performed the world’s first full heart transplant using robotic technology.

He emphasized that robotic surgery will be a primary option for future procedures, due to its success and efficiency.

Dr. Al Fayyad also noted that this breakthrough was made possible by the hospital’s investment in cutting-edge technology and comprehensive staff training.

He stressed that KFSHRC maintained a balance between embracing bold innovations and adhering to strict safety standards, ensuring high-quality outcomes prioritising patient safety.

Moreover, KFSHRC is working to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into its medical operations to enhance accuracy and efficiency further.

Dr. Al Fayyad believes that AI applications will drive unprecedented advancements in the medical field and enable Saudi Arabia to share its pioneering healthcare experiences on a global scale

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