Improving Saudi Arabia's Pharmaceutical Self-Reliance by Leveraging Innovation and Technology.

Abstract

This study explored existing the state of knowledge on innovation in the pharmaceutical sector and its transformative potential in enhancing access to antibiotics within Saudi Arabia’s pharmaceutical sector. To achieve this goal, the study developed two main objectives: a). To evaluate the use and purpose of innovation for inducement of pharmaceutical access in Saudi Arabia b). To evaluate the use and purpose of innovation for inducement of pharmaceutical access in Saudi Arabia. The study utilised a systematic review methodology guided by PRISMA guidelines to search relevant educational databases to find literature that has been published in recent years. The databases consulted included PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane, MEDLINE, and Google Scholar. The search strategy focused on keywords related to antibiotics access, innovation, digital health, and pharmaceuticals in the Saudi context. Key findings indicated that technology and innovation have great potential of enhancing access to antibiotics and pharmaceuticals in general as well as improving the country's ability of self reliance. The development and integration of telehealth and e-prescription tools in Saudi Arabia’s healthcare has increased efficiency in service delivery and prescription. However, these technologies have not been optimised to facilitate access to essential drugs. The implementation of such innovations is hindered by high development costs and stringent regulatory frameworks. The study findings identified the critical need for policy reforms, investment in technological infrastructure and fundings towards pharmaceutical research and development to optimise antibiotics procurement, distribution, and patient adherence to facilitate access to antibiotics. Another critical finding was lack of studies on the significance of technology in enhancing access to antibiotics especially following the government restrictions on non-prescribed antibiotics. Future research should prioritise in identifying more ways for Saudi Arabia to become self-reliant in terms of pharmaceutical means of approach, empirical studies to establish concrete links between technological interventions and enhanced pharmaceutical access to inform evidence based policy decisions to address accessibility challenges.