The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) confirmed the growth in registration and licensing outcomes during the first quarter of 2024, attributing this progress to the support and empowerment provided by the SFDA to investors in the sectors under its supervision. 
The SFDA highlighted the remarkable 16% growth in the issuance of licenses for factories and pharmaceutical and cosmetic warehouses, resulting from the support provided to local investment. Additionally, the product classification index witnessed 25% increase, reflecting greater customer awareness of the SFDA’s updated legislative regulations and regulatory frameworks.
The SFDA also reported a 57% growth in applications for advertising and promotion licenses for non-prescription medications, ensuring the safety of products marketed in the Kingdom. Simultaneously, there was a 69% increase in applications for licenses for disease awareness and health education campaigns, intended to promote public health and raise community awareness.
The SFDA further noted that it had reduced the time required to issue licenses and appoint private laboratories to just three working days, as part of its efforts to support and enable investors.