The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the State Institute of Drugs and Good Practices of the Russian Federation to strengthen cooperation in pharmaceutical regulation, inspection systems, and quality assurance frameworks.
The agreement was concluded on the sidelines of the 29th edition of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), one of the world’s leading platforms for economic dialogue.
The forum brings together heads of state, policymakers, and senior representatives from global institutions and major companies to discuss key development and cooperation priorities.
The signing ceremony was held in the presence of Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, reflecting the Kingdom’s continued engagement in strengthening international partnerships across strategic and regulatory sectors.
The MoU was signed on behalf of the SFDA by Vice President for Operations Sami AlSager, while Vladislav Shestakov, Director of the State Institute of Drugs and Good Practices of the Russian Federation, signed on behalf of the Russian side.
The agreement expands cooperation in several critical areas, including good manufacturing practices (GMP), pharmaceutical inspection systems, and quality management frameworks applied in regulatory oversight.
It also emphasizes the development of training programs for specialized personnel working in pharmaceutical inspection and regulatory supervision, with the aim of enhancing institutional capacity and technical expertise on both sides.
In addition, the MoU provides a structured platform for exchanging regulatory knowledge, technical standards, and best practices related to the oversight of pharmaceutical products.
The two sides are expected to collaborate closely on improving compliance mechanisms and aligning quality assurance procedures in line with international standards.
Officials highlighted that the agreement reflects a shared commitment to advancing pharmaceutical safety, improving regulatory efficiency, and supporting innovation in healthcare governance through sustained technical cooperation.
