SAUDI ARABIA – The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has signed a collaborative pact with the National Authority of Medicines and Health Products (Infarmed) in the Portuguese Republic.
It is worth highlighting that the agreement was signed on the sidelines of the meeting of the sixth session of the Saudi-Portuguese Joint Committee held in the city of Lisbon.
The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed by the Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal bin Fadel Al-Ibrahim on behalf of the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority.
The MoU aims to enhance joint cooperation and exchange information and expertise between the two regulatory bodies in the field of regulating medicines, medical devices and supplies, and cosmetic products.
As part of the new agreement, the Saudi Food and Drug Authority and Infarmed will explore ways to strengthen cooperation in related fields such as laboratories and inspection.
The two parties will also exchange experiences, information, technical visits, and establish on-the-job training programs in various activities in their respective domains.
These activities include laboratory tests for biological preparations, evaluation of similar preparations (manufacturing and chemical control), evaluation of bioequivalence studies, as well as conducting clinical trials and good clinical practice (GCP).
Additionally, the SFDA and the National Authority of Medicines and Health Products have agreed to strengthen their collaboration in conducting tests to ensure the safety and efficacy of medical devices and supplies.
The National Authority of Medicines and Health Products oversees the regulatory framework for medicines in Portugal.
The National Authority of Medicines and Health Products plays an active role in the European Union system that evaluates and approves medicines and healthcare products.
In recent years, the Portuguese government entity has introduced several changes to its regulatory framework to streamline the approval process for new drugs and ensure patient safety.
The new partnership between the SFDA and Infarmed could pave the way for a smooth and clear accelerated registration process for medical devices and supplies in both the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Portugal.
This partnership between the two regulatory entities aims to facilitate the process of obtaining licenses, marketing these products, and implementing post-marketing control measures.
It stands as a testimony to SFDA’s ongoing efforts to protect the community through regulations and effective controls to ensure the safety of food, drugs, medical devices, cosmetics, pesticides, and feed.
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