Hisham Saad Aljadhey

Since October 2016, His Excellency Prof. Hisham Aljadhey has served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), where he has led a transformative journey to position the Authority as a globally recognized, science-based regulator dedicated to protecting and promoting public health. Under his leadership, the SFDA has strengthened its systems and partnerships to ensure the safety and effectiveness of food, human and veterinary medicines, medical devices, cosmetics, and animal feed—safeguarding the health of millions. 

Prof. Aljadhey plays a central role in shaping national health and regulatory strategies. He is a member of numerous high-level boards and councils, including the Saudi Health Council, the Public Health Authority, the National Unified Procurement Company, the Saudi Patient Safety Center, the Saudi National Institute of Health, the National Centre for Palms & Dates, the National Center for Inspection and Control, the Board of Trustees of Prince Mohammed Bin Salman College for Business and Entrepreneurship, the Council of King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, and the Grace Preservation Foundation. 

His academic journey reflects a lifelong commitment to excellence. Prof. Aljadhey holds a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from King Saud University, a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) and a master’s degree from Purdue University, and completed an ASHP-accredited residency at Winchester Medical Center in Virginia. In 2008, he earned a Ph.D. in Health Policy with a focus on pharmacoepidemiology and medication safety from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill—one of the leading programs in the United States. 

Prior to joining SFDA, Prof. Aljadhey built a distinguished academic and leadership career at King Saud University and KSU Medical City. His roles included Dean of the College of Pharmacy, Vice Dean for Academic Affairs, Vice Dean for Graduate Studies and Research, Director of the Medication Safety Research Chair, and Supervisor of Pharmacy Services at KSU Medical City. He has also held adjunct appointments at the University of North Carolina, the University of Aberdeen (UK), and the University Science of Malaysia. 

Prof. Aljadhey’s contributions to science and global health governance are equally noteworthy. He serves as Associate Editor of the Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety journal and as a peer reviewer for several international journals. As the founding chair of the Gulf Chapter of the International Society for Pharmacoepidemiology (ISPE), he has helped advance the region’s scientific capacity in drug safety and population health. Throughout his career, he has supervised more than 25 graduate students, authored over 100 peer-reviewed publications, and delivered more than 80 scientific lectures. His work has been recognized by numerous institutions, including the World Health Organization, where he served on expert committees on patient safety. He has also advised several universities and served on the Board of Directors of the Asian Association of Schools of Pharmacy. Prof. Aljadhey’s leadership blends scientific rigor with visionary strategy. His career reflects a deep commitment to building institutions, mentoring future leaders, and shaping policy frameworks that elevate public health at national and global levels.