SFDA Timelines

Last Updated: 30/10/2024|Categories: Regulatory Affairs|1.9 min read|
The registration timelines in SFDA for all types of products.

About the Author: Regulatory Editor

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.

Drug Review Timelines

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 TypeSFDA Timelines (working Days)
Human Generic155
Human New Drugs registered in SRA280
Human New Drugs not registered in SRA405
Human Biologics registered in SRA280
Human Biologics not registered in SRA405
Radiopharmaceuticals280
Veterinary Generics165
Veterinary New Drugs registered in SRA260
Veterinary New Drugs not registered in SRA385
Veterinary Biologics registered in SRA260
Veterinary Biologics not registered in SRA385
Herbal & health products155

Priority Review Timelines

Drug TypeSFDA Timelines (working Days)
Human Generic93
Human New Drugs registered in SRA168
Human New Drugs not registered in SRA243
Human Biologics registered in SRA168
Human Biologics not registered in SRA243
Radiopharmaceuticals168

Verification & Abridged Pathway Timelines

Procedure TypeSFDA Timelines (working Days)
Verification30
Abridged60

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.

Variation TypeSFDA Timelines (working Days)
IA inNo need for pre-approval.
IA30
IB60
II100

Drug Renewal

ProcedureSFDA Timelines (working Days)
Drug Registration Renewal30

Drug Appeal Timelines

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 TypeSFDA 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.

ProcedureSFDA Timelines (working Days)
MDMA Registration35
MDMA Update (Minor)15
MDMA Update (Major)35

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