Published by regulatory affairs team in PharmaKnowl, Riyadh office.
This post lists the SFDA timelines for most application types, procedures, and submissions based on the product types. You may use these official timelines to anticipate the time the SFDA needs to review your product during the SFDA registration process.
The SFDA timelines will significantly reduce if the drug is approved in a Stringent Regulatory Authority SRA (SFDA reference countries). Note that these timelines do not include the time spent responding to SFDA inquiries (clock stop).
Regular Review Timelines
Drug Type
SFDA Timelines (working Days)
Human Generic
155
Human New Drugs registered in SRA
280
Human New Drugs not registered in SRA
405
Human Biologics registered in SRA
280
Human Biologics not registered in SRA
405
Radiopharmaceuticals
280
Veterinary Generics
165
Veterinary New Drugs registered in SRA
260
Veterinary New Drugs not registered in SRA
385
Veterinary Biologics registered in SRA
260
Veterinary Biologics not registered in SRA
385
Herbal & health products
155
Priority Review Timelines
Drug Type
SFDA Timelines (working Days)
Human Generic
93
Human New Drugs registered in SRA
168
Human New Drugs not registered in SRA
243
Human Biologics registered in SRA
168
Human Biologics not registered in SRA
243
Radiopharmaceuticals
168
Verification & Abridged Pathway Timelines
Procedure Type
SFDA Timelines (working Days)
Verification
30
Abridged
60
Drug Variation Timelines
There are four types of drug variation submissions in the SFDA, and each has a different timeline. When applicants group more than one type, the SFDA will apply the longest timelines in the group.
Applicants must appeal within 60 calendar days of receiving the SFDA decision. The second appeal must be submitted within 30 calendar days. After submission of the request, the SFDA appeal review timelines are as follows:
Appeal Type
SFDA Timelines (Working Days)
Registration Rejection (First Appeal)
60 Days
Registration Rejection (Second Appeal)
30 Days
Price Appeal (Reevaluation)
90 Days
Medical Devices Timelines
MDMA Timelines
Regardless of the risk class, MDMA registration will have the same timelines. The unofficial timeline difference will depend on the completeness of the submitted technical file.
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