SFDA Introduces AI-Powered RASID Service to Enhance Medication Verification for Hajj Pilgrims

Riyadh: The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has introduced the Regulatory AI System for Incoming Drugs (RASID), a service aimed at streamlining the verification process for controlled medications brought by pilgrims during the Hajj season. The initiative is designed to enhance efficiency and accuracy in verifying medications, significantly improving the pilgrim experience while optimizing regulatory operations at border entry points. According to Saudi Press Agency, the RASID service swiftly identifies medications containing narcotics or psychotropic substances as per SFDA regulations. It also addresses challenges such as manual verification complexities, language diversity, and global variations in pharmaceutical brand names and active ingredients. This initiative is part of Saudi Arabia's Year of Artificial Intelligence 2026, reflecting a government commitment to employing modern technologies and AI to bolster operational readiness and advance the regulatory ecosystem during the Hajj. Developed by Sa udi talent within the SFDA Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (SAIL), RASID aligns with the authority's strategy to leverage advanced technologies for regulatory operations, transitioning from traditional procedures to smart digital solutions. This transition aims to facilitate faster field decisions and achieve operational excellence. Since its launch, RASID has undergone technological enhancements to ensure operational readiness during Hajj, demonstrating SFDA's commitment to advancing national AI-powered solutions. The service has successfully processed over 50 languages, verified more than 2,000 medications within 10 days, and reduced verification times by up to 98%, saving over 1,500 working hours. These advancements have accelerated border procedures, prevented unauthorized product circulation, and enhanced the sustainability of field operations, reinforcing Saudi Arabia's global leadership in crowd management and ensuring the safety and security of pilgrims. SFDA CEO Dr. Hisham Aljadhey unveiled the service during the Global Health Exhibition in Riyadh last October, marking a strategic shift from traditional oversight to proactive, data-driven protection. RASID stands as a model for national AI-powered solutions that enhance government service capabilities, supporting Saudi Vision 2030 and the Kingdom's goal of global leadership in artificial intelligence.