Saudi Food & Drug Authority (SFDA) has recently compelled transporters of drug, pharmaceutical , herbal and veterinary products to transport drugs in refrigerated containers equipped with temperature indicators to reflect storage and drug shipment conditions during transportation. This comes in SFDA efforts to adopt the best drug storage and distribution practices.

The above was announced in a speech delivered by H.E. Chief Executive Officer of SFDA, Dr. Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Kanhal in the “Refrigerated Drug Supplies” workshop, held during the period 30/4/1432 – 2/5/1432H. Dr. Al Kanhal said that SFDA has imposed these procedures and conditions to ensure safe transportation, storage and distribution of drugs under suitable conditions beginning with drug manufacturing through drug dispensing to patients, considering that the Kingdom is located in a critical climate zone affecting drug quality. This comes in line with the directions of The Custodian of The Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud and the directions of HRH Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz , Crown Prince, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense & Aviation, Inspector General and Chairman of SFDA Board of Directors, concerning development of a long term strategy to ensure safety of food and security and efficacy of drugs and efficiency of medical devices and accessories.
At his part, H.E. Vice President for Drug Affairs, Dr. Saleh bin Abdullah Bawazir explained that studies have revealed that the drugs received by patients lose their efficacy because they are transported and stored in violating conditions to those recommended in manufacturers specifications. Such drugs, e.g. biotic products in particular, need to be transported and stored in suitable temperature to maintain their quality and efficacy as they may be damaged by heat or may produce harmful material affecting drug validity and patients, in turn, in addition to economic loss caused by expired drugs to companies and countries .
It worth mentioning that SFDA conducted a workshop entitled: “Refrigerated Drug Supplies” which addressed and discussed the enhancement of refrigerated drugs supply chain and best storage and distribution practices and provided the vision of Injected Drugs society, US Drug Code, Refrigerated Drugs Supply Chain Act of Canada and some Arab & European countries. The workshop included participants from major manufacturers and refrigerated drugs experts to discuss the basic issues for understanding the links between transportation and packing, qualification and verification practices in order to enhance storage strategies of drug, biotic and vaccines products.