SFDA CEO Discusses AI's Role in Drug Development and Regulatory Efficiency

Detected March 27th, 2026

Summary

The CEO of the Saudi SFDA highlighted the significant contributions of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to accelerating drug development, reducing costs, and enhancing regulatory efficiency for medicines, medical devices, and food products. The SFDA has launched an AI laboratory and developed a digital twin to integrate emerging innovations and streamline approval processes.

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What changed

The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) CEO, Dr. Hisham S. Aljadhey, emphasized the transformative impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the pharmaceutical and regulatory sectors. AI is accelerating drug development and discovery by simulating clinical trials, leading to faster market entry and reduced costs. Furthermore, AI is enhancing the SFDA's operational efficiency by streamlining approval processes for medical devices, medicines, and food products, and providing greater flexibility in product evaluation.

Regulated entities, particularly drug manufacturers, medical device makers, and food producers, can expect faster review times and potentially lower development costs due to AI integration. The SFDA has established an AI laboratory (SAIL) and a digital twin to support these efforts. Employees within the SFDA and potentially within regulated industries will need to develop foundational knowledge and practical skills in AI and data analysis to effectively utilize these supportive tools and adapt to evolving regulatory landscapes. While the document does not specify a compliance deadline, the ongoing integration of AI suggests a shift towards more technologically advanced regulatory processes.

What to do next

Develop foundational knowledge and practical skills in AI and data analysis.
Adapt to evolving regulatory processes that integrate AI for product evaluation and approval.
Explore the use of AI to enhance efficiency in drug development and regulatory submissions.

Source document (simplified)

H.E. Dr. Hisham S. Aljadhey, CEO of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), affirmed that artificial intelligence (AI) contributes to accelerating the delivery of medicines to patients by supporting drug development and discovery. By simulating clinical trials, AI enables medicines to enter the market in a shorter time and at a lower cost, shortening a process that traditionally takes several years.

During his participation in a session titled “Human Progress and the Future of Work,” at the Global Labour Market Conference (GLMC), Dr. Aljadhey explained that AI will enhance the efficiency of the SFDA by streamlining the approval processes for medical devices, medicines, and food products. He noted that AI contributes to the development of these products, granting the Authority greater flexibility in their evaluation and adoption.

Dr. Aljadhey said: “We launched the SFDA Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (SAIL) last year, through which we are working to integrate all relevant emerging innovations. We have also developed a digital twin that supports regulatory efforts, allowing us to compare its outputs with our operations. We believe that artificial intelligence represents the future, as it will contribute to improving the economy and public health; enhance operational efficiency; and provide our employees with more time to focus on critical thinking and practical training.”

He pointed out that AI will not replace humans; rather, it should serve as a supportive tool for the work being carried out, utilized to enhance performance effectiveness and ensure the quality of outcomes.

Dr. Aljadhey stressed the importance of equipping employees with appropriate skills and ensuring they possess foundational knowledge of AI. This is not limited to technical or programming expertise, but extends to understanding practical applications and data analysis. He noted that building a culture of adaptation to AI begins with leaders and is reflected across all employees, enabling them to effectively utilize this technology.

The Authority Drugs
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