First in Middle East and North Africa: Saudi Arabia Joins ICMRA as Full Member

 The International Coalition of Medicines Regulatory Authorities (ICMRA) has announced the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's full membership in the organization, represented by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA). With this achievement, the SFDA becomes the first regulatory body from the Middle East and North Africa to attain full membership status.

 This milestone underscores the Kingdom’s growing global leadership in pharmaceutical regulation and drug safety, and its influential role in shaping international health policies. It also reflects the international community’s recognition of the Kingdom’s progress in developing a robust and advanced regulatory system aligned with the highest global standards.

 The SFDA's accession highlights the Saudi leadership's commitment to prioritizing human health and safety while enhancing the Kingdom’s participation in international programs and initiatives related to drug regulation and public health. It also reaffirms the authority’s dedication to continuously improving the pharmaceutical regulatory system, anticipating future trends, and adopting best international practices to ensure the highest levels of safety and quality in drug manufacturing and distribution.

 This achievement supports the objectives of the Health Sector Transformation Program, a key pillar of Saudi Vision 2030, by further integrating the Kingdom into the global pharmaceutical ecosystem. It strengthens the SFDA's role in contributing to international decision-making and advancing collaborative efforts to safeguard global health.

 The announcement was made during the ICMRA Annual Summit, held in Amsterdam from October 21 to 23, with the participation of CEO of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority Professor Hisham Aljadhey. Full membership grants the authority an active role in shaping ICMRA’s policies, approving annual projects, and contributing to global strategies that enhance regulatory efficiency and promote drug safety.

 ICMRA is an international consortium composed of heads of medicines regulatory authorities worldwide. Its mission is to strengthen cooperation and coordination among member agencies to improve the safety, effectiveness, and quality of medicines and vaccines. The coalition facilitates the exchange of regulatory information and expertise, supports innovation, expedites the approval of new treatments, and unites global efforts in responding to public health emergencies while maintaining the highest standards of safety and ethics.