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𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐤 & 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐚𝐮𝐝𝐢 𝐀𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐚( 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧)

Let’s shed light on how pharmaceutical traceability evolved in Saudi Arabia under the national platform SFDA - هيئة الغذاء والدواء ,and why the shift matters strategically.

Ahmed Dawood February 24, 2026 62 views

𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐤 & 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐚𝐮𝐝𝐢 𝐀𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐚( 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧)


𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦: 𝐑𝐒𝐃

The national Drug Track & Trace system, known as RSD, was built as a full serialization-based ecosystem covering the product journey end-to-end.


𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟗 𝐅𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐥


The journey started with:


=Serialization at manufacturing level

=Aggregation (unit → carton → pallet)

=EPCIS data exchange through PTS (Package Transfer System)

=Dispensing by serial number at pharmacy level


This was a classic EPCIS-driven traceability architecture, visibility across the entire supply chain hierarchy.


(𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒): 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐥


Instead of full aggregation reporting across the mid-supply chain, reporting transitioned to reporting by

=GTIN

=Batch

=Quantity

=Manufacturers still serialize. Pharmacies still dispense by serial.


But reporting in the middle of the chain moved toward a verification logic rather than full aggregation dependency.


🏭𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐯𝐬 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐰


=Local manufacturers report shipments directly into the system.

=Imported products: data of the shipment send by imported manufacture, and reporting starts from the local agent upon arrival.


Earlier this year, the#SFDA engaged with the National Committee of Pharmacies to enhance retail participation in RSD reporting ,reinforcing pharmacy contribution in the verification loop.