Saudi Food And Drug Authority President Dr. Hisham Al-Jadhey Leads Delegation At ISoP Annual Meeting In Montreal

Dr. Hisham bin Saad Al-Jadhey, CEO of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), led Saudi Arabia's delegation at the 2024 Annual Meeting of the International Society of Pharmacovigilance (ISoP) in Montreal, Canada, from October 1-5. This participation reflects SFDA's dedication to global collaboration and expertise sharing in pharmacovigilance and drug safety.

During the event, Dr. Al-Jadhey engaged in a significant dialogue session titled "The Status of Pharmacovigilance in the Digital Age Around the World." Participants included officials from various international health organizations such as the Canadian Ministry of Health, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, World Health Organization, European Medicines Agency, and Swiss Agency for Therapeutic Products.

In his address, Dr. Al-Jadhey highlighted SFDA's innovative use of digital solutions to improve drug safety. He mentioned projects like the Pharmacovigilance Electronic Reporting Service for tracking adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and an e-learning platform for risk minimization measures (aRMMS). These initiatives demonstrate Saudi Arabia's leadership in integrating digital technology into drug safety practices.

On the sidelines of the conference, Dr. Al-Jadhey met with officials from Canada's Ministry of Health and representatives from Canadian companies specializing in drug safety, vaccines, and biotechnology. Discussions centered on potential collaborations in research, laboratory advancements, knowledge exchange, and training programs.

The SFDA staff contributed significantly to the research exhibition accompanying the ISoP annual meeting by presenting 10 scientific papers on drug safety. This exhibition serves as an international platform for experts to discuss clinical and scientific aspects of drug safety.

The conference attracted over 1,000 participants from 108 countries worldwide. This large gathering underscores the importance of global cooperation in enhancing pharmacovigilance practices.

The SFDA's involvement at this international forum highlights its commitment to advancing drug safety through innovation and collaboration with global partners. Such efforts are crucial for ensuring public health protection on a global scale.

With inputs from SPA