Tweet
Half of medical equipment suppliers unlicensed: SFDA
Approximately half of importers and distributors of medical equipment in the Kingdom are unlicensed, according to a Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) official.
“More than 1,300 importing and distributing agencies in the local market have registered with us,” Deputy Executive Chairman for Medical Equipment and Products Saleh Al-Tayyar said at a workshop at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI).
Al-Tayyar urged all importers of medical equipment to make their operations legitimate with proper licenses so that they do not have to face penal measures, Al-Eqtisadiah business daily reported on Saturday.
The workshop on new developments in the area of monitoring medical equipment and products in the Kingdom was organized by SFDA in collaboration with the JCCI’s medical accessories and equipment committee.
Al-Tayyar said SFDA started licensing importing companies four years ago. “We know exactly what the companies are importing as we regularly inspect their warehouses,” the official said.
He said the Saudi medical market was a testing ground for various products as there was no system to regulate it until four years ago.
The SFDA destroyed SR43 million worth of imported medical products either because of expired validity dates or damage.
The official said many more workshops would be conducted so that every person working in the field including importers, distributors and representatives of foreign exporting companies are familiarized with the regulations and specifications laid down by the SFDA.
“We look at the private sector as our strategic partner and aim to familiarize it with Saudi regulations,” the official said.
“We also help them to fulfill our terms in order to guarantee the safety and quality of products and ensure good health to citizens and expatriates in the country,” he added.
Approximately half of importers and distributors of medical equipment in the Kingdom are unlicensed, according to a Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) official.
“More than 1,300 importing and distributing agencies in the local market have registered with us,” Deputy Executive Chairman for Medical Equipment and Products Saleh Al-Tayyar said at a workshop at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI).
Al-Tayyar urged all importers of medical equipment to make their operations legitimate with proper licenses so that they do not have to face penal measures, Al-Eqtisadiah business daily reported on Saturday.
The workshop on new developments in the area of monitoring medical equipment and products in the Kingdom was organized by SFDA in collaboration with the JCCI’s medical accessories and equipment committee.
Al-Tayyar said SFDA started licensing importing companies four years ago. “We know exactly what the companies are importing as we regularly inspect their warehouses,” the official said.
He said the Saudi medical market was a testing ground for various products as there was no system to regulate it until four years ago.
The SFDA destroyed SR43 million worth of imported medical products either because of expired validity dates or damage.
The official said many more workshops would be conducted so that every person working in the field including importers, distributors and representatives of foreign exporting companies are familiarized with the regulations and specifications laid down by the SFDA.
“We look at the private sector as our strategic partner and aim to familiarize it with Saudi regulations,” the official said.
“We also help them to fulfill our terms in order to guarantee the safety and quality of products and ensure good health to citizens and expatriates in the country,” he added.
