Martindale Pharma, a U.K.-based international specialty pharmaceutical company, has opened a scientific office in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and has appointed Dr. Fahad Al Showaier as scientific office manager. He brings extensive international experience, having previously held a number of senior positions with Saudi companies including Jamjoom Pharma.

The opening of the scientific office in KSA forms part of Martindale Pharma’s strategy to commercialize its portfolio in defined international markets with high growth potential and is a key step to support growing the sales base. The office will be responsible for obtaining marketing authorization approvals of Martindale Pharma’s products with the Saudi Federal Drug Agency (SFDA). Martindale Pharma is planning in excess of 20 products to be approved in the next three years. The first marketing authorization was granted in September. The scientific office also will be responsible for providing accurate product information to physicians.

Saudi Arabia is a strategically important market with a population of 29 million growing at 3.3% annually. The total Saudi healthcare market is estimated at $28 billion (2014), with pharmaceutical product purchases accounting for $4.7 billion per annum.

Martindale Pharma employs more than 300 people, including a commercial team of more than 50 people operating in the U.K., Europe, Middle East, Australasia and Africa.