SFDA’s Drug Sector announced today , Sunday 1/4/1432H (6/3/2011) the launch of Phase One of the Automated Drug Clearance System (IBRCS) for registered drugs Only, at all points of entry wherein SFDA’s inspectors are available, viz: Jeddah Islamic Port, King Abdul Aziz International Airport –Jeddah, King Abdul Aziz Sea Port- Dammam, in addition to Al Hadithah Point of Entry. Phase One of the program includes automated reporting of locally produced operations and clearance of all registered drugs that are received at the Points of Entry.

Dr. Hajid bin Mohammed bin Hajid, the Executive Director of Licensing Department of Drug Sector, commented that this electronic program came to crown the fruitful and continuous communications between SFDA and end users, in order to facilitate drug clearance process and save clearance time, as the program enables all users to upload documents and enter relevant data and information and send them electronically online, so that clearance requests can be sent before the arrival of the shipments in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and thus save the time required for approval of clearance of drugs and pharmaceutical products. However, the launch of Phase Two of the system will be announced soon. Phase two will cover imports and clearance of non-registered drugs via all Points of Entry wherein Drug Sector Offices are available.