Saudi Arabia becomes first country to use AI for drug safety oversight

Dubai: Saudi Arabia has become the first country in the world to implement artificial intelligence in the field of drug safety, according to a statement issued by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA).

The SFDA emphasised that the adoption of AI is designed to enhance the safety and monitoring of pharmaceuticals, aiming to reduce risks and ensure timely interventions in the drug supply chain.

According to the authority, the Kingdom’s healthcare and pharmaceutical industries are witnessing rapid expansion, driven by increased local manufacturing, strategic incentives for investors, and a notable rise in the number of factories and medical warehouses.

In tandem with these developments, the SFDA is intensifying its regulatory activities ahead of the Hajj season, executing over 1,329 field inspections across food, drug, and medical device storage facilities in the key pilgrimage hubs of Mecca and Medina.

Preliminary findings from these inspections indicate high compliance rates among storage facilities designated to serve pilgrims. The SFDA attributes this to its continuous monitoring campaigns and awareness initiatives that have significantly bolstered adherence to health and safety regulations.

-- Huda Ata is an independent writer based in the UAE