The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), hosted the third meeting of the Heads of National Medicines Regulatory Authorities (NMRAs) of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Member States today, December 17-18, in Riyadh. The two-day event focused on the theme "Advancing Medicine Regulation and R&D Ecosystems: Pathways to Regulatory Maturity."

The meeting was chaired by H.E. Dr. Hisham S. Aljadhey, CEO of the SFDA, following the selection of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by the SFDA, as the president for the next two years.

Dr. Aljadhey opened with his remarks. He emphasized that the meeting is motivated by a shared ambition to develop advanced regulatory systems that achieve regulatory maturity, ensuring the safety and health of societies.

Dr. Aljadhey stated, “This meeting aligns with our ambitious vision, as reflected in initiatives like the National Biotechnology Strategy launched by Saudi Arabia. This strategy underscores the Kingdom's commitment to becoming a global leader in biotechnology while promoting sustainable economic and social development.”

He further added, “The global pharmaceutical landscape presents significant challenges that require unified efforts to ensure the quality and safety of pharmaceutical products.”

The meeting included working sessions to discuss strategies for enhancing cooperation and regulatory harmonization among NMRAs, as well as biotechnology regulation and localization. By sharing knowledge and best practices, OIC member states aim to strengthen their regulatory frameworks and improve public health outcomes.