Saudi Food & Drug Authority (SFDA) and King Saud University (KSU) have signed this morning, Wednesday, a bilateral Memo of Understanding between the two parties to build a joint partnership that would build an exceptional relationship that contributes to investment of the financial and human resource capabilities available to both parties .

Saudi Food and Drug Authority warns about possible hepatotoxic effect associated with the use of oral ketoconazole (marketed as Nizoral®). Orally administered ketoconazole is used for several fungal infections when there is resistance or intolerance to other treatments.

HRH Prince Sulman bin Abdul Aziz, Governor of Riyadh Region, received this day, Monday 4/3/1432H, at his office in the Ruling Palace, the Chief Executive Officer of Saudi Food & Drug Authority, Dr. Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Kanhal and accompanying delegation.

The Mayor of Madinah, Engineer, Abdul Aziz bin Abdul Rahman Al Hussein extended his thanks and appreciations to t he Saudi Food & Drug Authority for their monitoring and control efforts to ensure security and safety of food , drug and medical devices, and in particular through communication of products reports and alerts to the public.

SFDA’s Drug Sector announced today , Sunday 1/4/1432H (6/3/2011) the launch of Phase One of the Automated Drug Clearance System (IBRCS) for registered drugs Only, at all points of entry wherein SFDA’s inspectors are available, viz: Jeddah Islamic Port, King Abdul Aziz International Airport –Jeddah, King Abdul Aziz Sea Port- Dammam, in addition to Al Hadithah Point of Entry. Phase One of the program includes automated reporting of locally produced operations and clearance of all registered drugs that are received at the Points of Entry.

SFDA launched a questionnaire on its website about consumer contribution in reporting about counterfeit products or expired food stuff . Visitors of SFDA website have greatly interacted with this questionnaire, with 986 votes distributed along the various options. The majority opted ”No”- 73.05% - (721 votes) while respondents who are keen to report about these products reached 16.90% (165 votes) and those who voted for the last option” i.e. Hesitant” reached 10.05% (100 votes)