The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has detected 19 facilities that violated the Law of Pharmaceutical Establishments and Preparations during January of 2022, due to their lack of commitment to provide pharmaceutical products to the local market.

The SFDA clarified that it obliges pharmaceutical factories and warehouses to have sufficient stock for a period of 6 months of all of their products that have been registered in the authority, and that they must inform the authority in the event of a shortage or interruption in the supply of preparations.

SFDA indicated that its inspectors detected, during the past month, 28 facilities that were not registered in the Drug Track and Trace System for pharmaceutical products (RSD), and 18 facilities that failed to report directly (instantly) to the movement of the drug in the electronic tracking system approved by the authority.

SFDA monitors the stocks of pharmaceutical and herbal products registered with it in factories and warehouses for their trade in all regions of the Kingdom through the electronic tracking system "RSD", with the aim of controlling the availability of the drug in sufficient quantities in the local market, and ensuring the commitment of all stakeholders in the drug supply chain to their tasks and responsibilities.

It also carries out periodic monitoring and inspection tours of the facilities under its supervision in cooperation with the relevant authorities, with the aim of verifying compliance with their regulations, requirements of technical regulations and approved food specifications. It also takes legal measures against violating facilities. This is in order to ensure the safety of citizens and residents’ food, medicines and medical devices.