SFDA CEO: Serving Pilgrims Inspires Innovation and Stronger Regulatory Oversight

The CEO of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), H.E. Dr. Hisham S. Aljadhey, emphasized that serving pilgrims, the Guests of Allah, is a great honor for Saudi Arabia and a responsibility that drives continuous efforts to enhance the services provided to visitors of the Two Holy Mosques. He noted that every Hajj season presents an opportunity for progress, every challenge serves as a catalyst for innovation, and every achievement lays the foundation for even greater ambitions.

Dr. Aljadhey made these remarks during a panel discussion titled “Health Services for the Guests of Allah: From Readiness to Care,” held as part of the sixth edition of the Hajj Conference and Exhibition in Jeddah. Organized by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in collaboration with the Pilgrim Experience Program, one of the Saudi Vision 2030 programs, the event was held under the theme “From Makkah to the World” and brought together Highnesses and Excellencies, heads of Hajj delegations, and representatives of pilgrims’ affairs offices from across the Islamic world.

Dr. Aljadhey explained that this responsibility is reflected in the SFDA’s early preparations for the Hajj season, which include conducting risk assessments, monitoring consignments and regulated establishments, enhancing the readiness of inspection teams, raising public awareness of preventive measures, and equipping inspectors with advanced tools powered by modern technologies and artificial intelligence (AI). He emphasized that the technologies, developed by the SFDA, represent an investment in human capabilities and the future of food and drug regulatory oversight, underscoring the importance of this responsibility.

Dr. Aljadhey highlighted the SFDA’s use of AI-powered solutions, including the Regulatory AI System for Incoming Drugs (RASID), a tool designed to verify controlled medicines carried by pilgrims. Supporting more than 50 languages, RASID saved inspectors more than 1,500 working hours during the previous Hajj season. He also highlighted ProVerifier, an AI-powered verification tool that identifies products and cross-checks their information against regulatory records, reducing verification time by up to 98%.

He noted that these solutions mark a shift toward more efficient and proactive regulatory oversight by combining inspectors’ expertise with AI capabilities to enhance product safety and streamline regulatory procedures. He reaffirmed the SFDA’s commitment to expanding the adoption of innovative technologies and further strengthening its regulatory capabilities to meet the needs of future Hajj seasons.