SAUDI ARABIA – Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has 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.
Meanwhile, SFDA has partnered with King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (KFSHRC) to supply the national safety database with the necessary data assets.
The data will support research on the safety and security of pharmaceutical products, contributing to evidence-based decisions that enhance public health and safety regulation.
The agreement was signed on Monday, during the Global Health Exhibition in Riyadh, by H.E Dr. Majid bin Ibrahim Alfayyadh, CEO of KFSHRC, and H.E Dr. Hisham bin Saad Aljadhey, CEO of SFDA. Also present were executives from KFSHRC and SFDA, as well as event attendees.
As per the agreement, KFSHRC and SFDA will adhere to the highest cybersecurity and privacy standards, using advanced regulatory-approved encryption technologies to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of information assets during transmission and exchange.
The data covers various demographic and medical information, including age, gender, marital status, chronic diseases, surgeries, medical examinations, and diagnostics procedures.
The agreement is part of joint efforts to enhance pharmaceutical product safety research, contribute to improved healthcare quality, minimize potential risks, and develop modern safety standards that meet evolving health challenges.
It also aims to maximize the benefits of medical data in advancing research and scientific studies that improve the health and safety of individuals and the community.
The authority has also signed a memorandum of understanding with King Abdulaziz University on the opening day of the Global Health Exhibition 2024 in Riyadh.
The agreement, signed by the authority’s CEO, Hisham Aljadhey, and the university’s president, Tareef Alaama, is designed to encourage collaboration in rehabilitation services, training, consulting, studies and research, officials said.
Key areas for cooperation include the designation of university labs as reference laboratories, the development of educational programs about legislation related to medical devices, and the use of artificial intelligence in the pharmaceutical industry.
