Clinical Trial Podcast | Conversations with Clinical Research Experts Clinical Trials in Saudi Arabia with Dr. Majed Al Jeraisy
May 31, 2025
Dr. Majed Al Jeraisy, an Associate Professor at King Saud Ben Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, shares valuable insights about clinical trials in Saudi Arabia. He highlights the country's modern healthcare system and the diverse patient pool as key advantages. The conversation dives into regulatory challenges, especially in recruitment and data integrity. Dr. Al Jeraisy also discusses the vital role of research coordinators and the need for better training and resources to improve local clinical research practices.
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English Is The Predominant Clinical Language
- The official clinical communication language in Saudi hospitals is English.
- This simplifies sponsor-site interactions though patient materials require Arabic translation.
Expect 60–90 Day Approval Timelines
- Submit to the SFDA and the local IRB in parallel to shorten startup time.
- Plan roughly 60 days per review and expect about 60–90 days total for most trials.
SFDA Relies On Local Ethics Approval
- The SFDA typically accepts ethics committee decisions and relies on local IRBs.
- Final regulator approval awaits confirmed IRB approval even after parallel submission.