The Saudi Food and Drug Authority has been elected as a member of the management committee of the International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use, The Saudi Press Agency has reported.

The SFDA has become the first entity in the Middle East to achieve the distinction and joins seven international counterparts and eight representatives from global organizations on the prestigious body.

The milestone highlights the SFDA’s significant contributions, with 42 technical experts from its team actively participating in the council’s scientific committees, according to the SPA.

The ICH is the only global council that brings together regulatory authorities and leading pharmaceutical manufacturers to collaboratively address the scientific and technical aspects of pharmaceutical development.

It develops guidelines, establishes technical standards, and provides evidence-based requirements for the registration and production of medicines. Its outputs serve as a fundamental reference for evaluation processes worldwide.

The ICH strives to enhance coordination among stakeholders, promote constructive dialogue on scientific matters, and adapt to the rapid advancements in global drug regulation and manufacturing on a global scale, the SPA added.

The management committee includes the SFDA alongside prominent international organizations such as the World Health Organization, the European Commission, the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the Japan Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency, Health Canada, and the Swiss Agency for Therapeutic Products.