KACST Launches SALEM Open-Source Tool for Drug, Food, and Herb Interactions

The King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) announced the launch of “SALEM,” an open-source platform designed to verify interactions between medications, foods, and herbs, at the fourth Riyadh Global Medical Biotechnology Summit. The announcement, carried by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), marks a significant step in Saudi Arabia’s efforts to enhance medication safety, raise awareness among patients and healthcare practitioners, and support national healthcare standards. SALEM is positioned as a unified national reference that enables users to identify potential interactions through a reliable and up-to-date database linked to medications registered in the Saudi market, ensuring accuracy and local relevance.

Context and Background

The launch of SALEM comes amid a global push to improve patient safety through digital health solutions. Medication interactions, whether between drugs, food, or herbal supplements, pose a serious risk to patients and can lead to adverse events, hospitalizations, and increased healthcare costs. In Saudi Arabia, the healthcare sector is undergoing rapid transformation under Vision 2030, with a strong emphasis on digitization, innovation, and preventive care. KACST, a leading national research institution, has been at the forefront of developing technologies that address local health challenges. The Riyadh Global Medical Biotechnology Summit, where SALEM was unveiled, serves as a key platform for showcasing advancements in medical biotechnology and fostering collaboration among stakeholders.

Key Details

SALEM is an intelligent system that monitors and classifies drug, food, and herb interactions based on their severity. It offers simplified guidance to support the safe use of medications and minimize potential side effects, while delivering real-time alerts for critical interactions. The platform also provides integration capabilities with digital health systems, allowing healthcare providers to incorporate it into their existing workflows. According to Dr. Sultan Alzahrani, General Manager of KACST’s Digital Health Institute, “SALEM represents a significant leap forward in the development of the medication safety system by employing advanced technologies and artificial intelligence to support decision-making and improve healthcare outcomes.” The tool’s database includes 9,234 medications registered with the Saudi Food and Drug Authority, 35 food items, and 873 potential drug, food, and herb interactions. As part of supporting the principle of reuse and cooperation in developing national digital solutions, KACST has deposited the tool’s source code on the government software platform of the Digital Government Authority, enabling government, healthcare, and research entities to benefit from and further develop it in accordance with approved controls. The source code can be accessed through the following link: https://oss.dga.gov.sa/en/products/61ffc116a4bf4f97bcf35cd610722e04.

Implications and Impact

The launch of SALEM has far-reaching implications for healthcare in Saudi Arabia and beyond. By providing a reliable, locally relevant database, it empowers healthcare practitioners to make safer prescribing decisions and helps patients avoid dangerous interactions. The open-source nature of the tool encourages collaboration and innovation, allowing developers and researchers to build upon the platform and adapt it to different contexts. This aligns with the broader trend of open government and digital transformation in Saudi Arabia, where sharing knowledge and resources is seen as key to accelerating progress. Furthermore, SALEM’s integration capabilities mean it can be embedded into electronic health records and other digital health systems, enhancing its utility and impact. As medication safety is a global concern, SALEM could serve as a model for other countries seeking to develop similar tools tailored to their populations.

Vision 2030 Alignment

SALEM directly supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals of improving healthcare quality and fostering a knowledge-based economy. By leveraging advanced technologies and artificial intelligence, it contributes to the development of a robust digital health ecosystem, one of the key pillars of the Vision’s Health Sector Transformation Program. The tool also embodies the principles of openness and cooperation, as reflected in the deposit of its source code on the Digital Government Authority’s platform. This move not only accelerates innovation but also positions Saudi Arabia as a leader in open-source health solutions. As the Kingdom continues to invest in healthcare infrastructure and digital solutions, initiatives like SALEM will play a crucial role in ensuring patient safety, enhancing outcomes, and achieving the ambitious targets of Vision 2030.

20 Questions

Q1. What is SALEM?

A1. SALEM is an open-source platform launched by KACST to verify interactions between medications, foods, and herbs. It aims to enhance medication safety and raise awareness among patients and healthcare practitioners.

Q2. Who launched SALEM?

A2. SALEM was launched by the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), a leading Saudi research institution, at the fourth Riyadh Global Medical Biotechnology Summit.

Q3. When was SALEM announced?

A3. SALEM was announced on September 16, 2026, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). The announcement took place during the fourth Riyadh Global Medical Biotechnology Summit.

Q4. What does SALEM do?

A4. SALEM monitors and classifies drug, food, and herb interactions based on severity. It provides simplified guidance, real-time alerts for critical interactions, and integration with digital health systems.

Q5. What is the purpose of SALEM?

A5. The purpose of SALEM is to enhance medication safety, raise awareness among patients and practitioners, and support national healthcare standards by providing reliable interaction information.

Q6. What database does SALEM use?

A6. SALEM’s database includes 9,234 medications registered with the Saudi Food and Drug Authority, 35 food items, and 873 potential drug, food, and herb interactions.

Q7. Who is Dr. Sultan Alzahrani?

A7. Dr. Sultan Alzahrani is the General Manager of KACST’s Digital Health Institute. He stated that SALEM represents a significant leap forward in medication safety using advanced technologies and AI.

Q8. How does SALEM use artificial intelligence?

A8. SALEM employs advanced technologies and artificial intelligence to support decision-making and improve healthcare outcomes by analyzing and classifying interactions with precision.

Q9. Is SALEM open-source?

A9. Yes, SALEM is open-source. KACST has deposited its source code on the government software platform of the Digital Government Authority for reuse and further development.

Q10. Where can the source code be accessed?

A10. The source code can be accessed through the Digital Government Authority’s platform at the following link: https://oss.dga.gov.sa/en/products/61ffc116a4bf4f97bcf35cd610722e04.

Q11. What are the benefits of SALEM for healthcare practitioners?

A11. SALEM helps practitioners make safer prescribing decisions by providing real-time alerts and guidance on drug, food, and herb interactions, thereby reducing adverse events and improving patient outcomes.

Q12. How does SALEM raise patient awareness?

A12. SALEM offers simplified guidance to patients, enabling them to understand potential interactions and use medications safely. This empowers patients to take an active role in their healthcare.

Q13. Can SALEM be integrated with other digital health systems?

A13. Yes, SALEM provides integration capabilities with digital health systems, allowing seamless incorporation into electronic health records and other platforms for broader impact.

Q14. What is the significance of the Riyadh Global Medical Biotechnology Summit?

A14. The summit is a key event for showcasing advancements in medical biotechnology, fostering collaboration, and highlighting innovations like SALEM that contribute to Saudi Arabia’s healthcare transformation.

Q15. How does SALEM align with Vision 2030?

A15. SALEM supports Vision 2030 by enhancing healthcare quality, promoting digital transformation, and fostering a knowledge-based economy through open-source collaboration and AI-driven solutions.

Q16. What is KACST’s role in Saudi Arabia?

A16. KACST is a leading national research institution that drives scientific and technological innovation. It develops solutions like SALEM to address local challenges and support national priorities.

Q17. How many medications are in SALEM’s database?

A17. SALEM’s database contains 9,234 medications registered with the Saudi Food and Drug Authority, ensuring relevance to the local market and accuracy of information.

Q18. What types of interactions does SALEM cover?

A18. SALEM covers drug-drug, drug-food, and drug-herb interactions. It classifies them by severity and provides alerts for critical ones to prevent adverse effects.

Q19. What is the Digital Government Authority’s role?

A19. The Digital Government Authority hosts the government software platform where SALEM’s source code is deposited, promoting reuse and cooperation in developing national digital solutions.

Q20. How does SALEM contribute to global healthcare?

A20. SALEM serves as a model for other countries, demonstrating how open-source, AI-powered tools can enhance medication safety and be adapted to local contexts, thereby improving global healthcare standards.

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