Saudi Arabia: SFDA Officially Joins PIC/S

ARQon
May 30, 2023
1 min read

On 12 May 2023, Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) officially approved being a part of the Pharmaceutical Inspection Co-operation Scheme (PIC/S) at the PIC/S meeting in Switzerland. Completing the requirements and being on par with the standard for membership made Saudi Arabia the first Arab country approved as a PIC/S member.

As SFDA participates as a member of PIC/S, SFDA intent to coordinate the inspection procedures worldwide and open a door for networking and cooperation between competent authorities and regional international organizations.

PIC/S membership risen the recognition of the SFDA as an approved reference in the inspection of pharmaceutical factories line. Moreover, PIC/S offers more beneficial advantages which later help SFDA cope with a global organization in medical manufacturing developments.

Intensify the efficiency and quality of the manufacturing practices of the local factories
Systemize the inspection procedures at the State level for GMP
Enhance the efficiency of the inspectors
Exchange inspection information and reports
Smoothen the exportation procedures for Saudi products
Activate the rapid alert system at the State level

At the moment, PIC/S has more than 50 members from all over the region. The main missions are to lead international development, implementation and maintenance of harmonized GMP standards and quality systems of inspectorates for medicinal products.

Sources: SFDA and PIC/S