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Drug Security: A Priority, Not an Option

Dr. Ali Al Sharmah

Date of Publication: July 20, 2026 22:31 KSA

In the modern era, drug security is no longer just a health necessity; it has become one of the most important elements of national security for countries, and possessing the ability to secure medicines and medical supplies sustainably has become an essential part of the economic, social, and health stability system. In recent years, the crises and security tensions witnessed in the Middle East region have disrupted the flow of basic goods, foremost among them medicines and the raw materials used in their manufacture. Therefore, the importance of enhancing Saudi drug security has increased as an urgent national necessity that goes beyond the health sector to the realms of comprehensive development and economic sustainability. Although the Kingdom has long relied on importing medicines from abroad, it has realized for some time that this situation can no longer continue. When producing countries or vital logistical routes experience disruptions, gaps in supply emerge that may affect the availability of life-saving medicines or treatments for chronic diseases. Saudi Vision 2030 has been aware of this issue early on, thus it has called in many instances for localizing the pharmaceutical industry because achieving health security cannot depend solely on imports, no matter how strong trade relations or diverse external markets are. The required balance is achieved by building a national production base capable of meeting local needs, while maintaining diverse and secure import networks that support supply continuity. It is well known that establishing many advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing companies in the Kingdom carries numerous gains; these will not be limited to achieving drug security alone, but will include creating tens of thousands of job opportunities, developing national skills, stimulating scientific research, and increasing the industrial sector's contribution to the GDP. Given the Kingdom's serious efforts to attract foreign investment, its provision of incentive packages to stimulate capital to operate within it, its advanced infrastructure, its industrial cities designed to the latest global standards, various customs and tax exemptions, and its strategic location enabling it to be a main gateway for re-export to the region—these multiply the gains for investors. For local manufacturing to achieve its strategic goals, it is necessary to expand the production of active ingredients and essential components of pharmaceutical industries, rather than merely focusing on packaging or final manufacturing stages. The true value of drug security lies in possessing as many links of the production chain as possible within the Kingdom, such as research and development, raw materials, all the way to ready-to-distribute and use products. Moreover, strategic partnerships between the public and private sectors represent an important pillar in this path. The private sector has flexibility and investment experience, while government entities provide the regulatory environment, incentives, and supportive legislation. When these roles are integrated, it becomes possible to accelerate the pace of localization, transfer knowledge, develop national competencies, and raise innovation rates. As someone who has worked in this vital sector for many years, I stress the need to enhance health spending efficiency, improve planning, procurement, and inventory management processes, and minimize drug waste as much as possible. There are quantities of medicines that may be purchased without actual need, expire before use, or are dispensed beyond actual therapeutic requirements. This waste leads to financial losses that could have been directed to developing health services, supporting preventive programs, or investing in modern medical technologies. In conclusion, it can be said that the Kingdom has made important strides in developing the health sector and enhancing industrial and technical capabilities. However, the next stage requires supporting investment in advanced pharmaceutical industries, expanding technology transfer programs, enhancing scientific research, developing specialized national competencies, and raising levels of integration between regulatory, industrial, and health entities. Moreover, continuing to build strategic stocks of essential medicines and developing early warning systems for supply chains will strengthen the Kingdom's readiness to deal with future global changes. In a world of increasing challenges and disruptions, drug security becomes an investment in the future rather than just a situational response to the present. It is a national project aimed at ensuring the community's right to safe and sustainable treatment, and reflects the ambition to build an advanced knowledge-based economy capable of global competition.

Medicines, Drug Security