Bahrain, Saudi Arabia sign MoU on approval of pharmaceutical and medical devices

TDT | Manama

Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Bahrain National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA) and the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) was signed in the presence of His Excellency Lieutenant General Dr Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Chairman of the Supreme Council of Health.

The agreement was signed by Dr Ahmed Mohammed Al Ansari, Director General of the NHRA and Dr Hisham bin Saad Al Jadhi, Director General of the SFDA, and focuses on the mutual recognition of pharmaceutical products, medical devices and consumables.

Dr Al Ansari said the memorandum of understanding is part of a cooperation programme between the two sides aimed at formalising Bahrain’s acceptance of pharmaceutical and medical devices approved by the Saudi SFDA.

He also explained that under the agreement, the NHRA will recognize and approve pharmaceutical products, medical devices and materials that have been classified and registered by the SFDA in Saudi Arabia.

This agreement builds on a previous cooperation agreement signed in July 2019, which focused on the exchange of laboratory analysis results of medicines, medical devices and devices registered with both authorities.

The cooperation includes joint factory inspections, exchange of clinical trial results and joint training programmes, as well as exchange of information on drug warnings and incidents involving medical devices and medical supplies.

This agreement further strengthens regulatory alignment between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia in the healthcare sector, enhancing the safety and quality of medical products in both countries.