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EF: If you were at Davos addressing world leaders, what key message would you convey about the importance of healthcare and the pharmaceutical sector?
MM: Healthcare is a fundamental concern for everyone, both at an individual and national level. The COVID-19 pandemic underscored its significance, demonstrating how crucial it is for governments to unite and provide support. When we talk about healthcare, we are not only addressing the treatment of diseases but also emphasizing prevention and early detection. This approach, known as population health management, and increased life expectancy are key priorities for KSA Government.
The focus is on predicting and preventing diseases early, as the cost and value of prevention far outweigh those of treatment—especially for non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which account for a significant portion of global health challenges. Reducing the prevalence of conditions such as diabetes, and cardiometabolic disorders, is critical.
Addressing these issues requires a collaborative effort between the public and private sectors, along with individuals adopting healthier habits and lifestyles. From personal responsibility to national policies, everyone has a role to play in shaping a healthier future.
EF: Could you elaborate on the key priorities you have observed while working for IQVIA in Saudi Arabia?
MM: I have been with IQVIA since 2010. The healthcare sector has evolved remarkably, particularly in digital transformation, regulatory advancements, and overall ecosystem development. At IQVIA Saudi, we work closely with life sciences companies, including pharmaceutical, medical device, and consumer health clients, as well as the Government. Our role involves supporting strategic initiatives, digitizing hospitals, and enhancing healthcare delivery to ensure optimal care for every individual in the country. Additionally, we contribute to population health management efforts, optimizing the healthcare supply chain, and leveraging AI and technology to transform healthcare initiatives.
As part of Saudi Vision 2030’s goals to enhance quality of life and disease prevention, we have made investments in Saudi Arabia, including establishing an entity dedicated to clinical trials. Clinical research is a key focus area, and we are working on digitizing the process to expand patient access to trials. This not only encourages investment and job creation but also facilitates early access to innovative medicines—particularly for rare diseases, oncology, and other critical areas—ultimately saving lives.
EF: IQVIA recently announced a partnership with NVIDIA for workflows and clinical research. Given that Saudi Arabia is also embracing innovation in healthcare, what are your expectations for this partnership and its potential impact on the market?
MM: From a healthcare perspective, the collaboration between IQVIA and NVIDIA is highly valuable, as it will enable new levels of agentic automation of complex and time-consuming workflows across the therapeutic life cycle. A significant challenge in healthcare is that most data is unstructured, scattered, and not centralized. At IQVIA, our role is to support governments and life sciences clients in transforming this data into actionable insights, enabling informed decision-making. IQVIA has been leading in the responsible use of AI, ensuring that its AI-powered capabilities are grounded in privacy, regulatory compliance, and patient safety.
EF: Could you elaborate on the market dynamics in Saudi Arabia and what unique factors make Saudi Arabia stand out?
MM: Saudi Arabia’s digital and healthcare infrastructure is highly robust, which plays a crucial role in delivering healthcare services to patients across the country. There is a strong emphasis on disease prevention and increasing life expectancy, with a large proportion of the population being young. The government is focused on creating value-based and evidence-based approaches to treat chronic patients, with prevention efforts taking priority. There is increased investment from the government and private sector in AI, digital and evidence-based medicine.
EF: How do you see IQVIA's role evolving as digitalization continues to shape the market?
MM: At IQVIA, we have had the privilege of being part of the digital healthcare ecosystem, supporting both the private sector and government with various digital solutions. These include insurance systems, electronic medical records, patient costing, and patient engagement solutions assisting both the public and private sectors in building and advancing their healthcare systems.
The robust digital healthcare infrastructure allows for broader patient reach across different regions, while also generating valuable data for decision-making by the government.
EF: Saudi Arabia is the second fastest-growing market in the Middle East. What factors are driving this growth, and where do you see opportunities for Saudi Arabia to capitalize on and become the fastest-growing market?
MM: Saudi Arabia's population is growing, which is a key driver of its market expansion. In addition to the population increase, the country is seeing a rise in regional headquarters and investments, as well as growing interest in non-oil sectors such as tourism, sports, and entertainment. These factors have led to a growing population and a higher number of visitors and residents, making Saudi Arabia an attractive hub for the region.
We have observed that many multinational companies are increasing their investments in various sectors, including pharmaceuticals, and are establishing Saudi Arabia as a regional hub. We have also set up our regional headquarters here, bringing in talent from across the globe. This shift has resulted in significant positive transformation, including an increase in both population and diversity.
At the same time, we focus on building local capabilities, especially among Saudi nationals. We work on initiatives, both individually and in collaboration with other pharmaceutical companies and stakeholders, to develop the capacity and skills of local citizens. Our aim is to help cultivate future leaders in fields such as clinical research, consulting, and public health, ensuring knowledge transfer to strengthen the country’s future workforce.
In clinical research, we are collaborating with the government and one of our life sciences clients to develop a certified six-month clinical research associate training program. The goal is to equip newly graduated pharmacists, physicians, and practicing doctors with the necessary skills to become future clinical research associates. This initiative allows us to transfer our clinical research expertise and enhance the capabilities of local professionals, making them valuable resources for hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, and other stakeholders.
EF: How do you keep your team motivated, and how would you describe your leadership style?
MM: One of the key factors in keeping a team motivated is when leaders are passionate about what they do and can see the value they bring to the work. At IQVIA, every task we perform ultimately benefits a patient. Whether it is supporting decision-making in the private or public sector, we all work together to enhance healthcare, provide value, and improve health outcomes—one of the most inspiring aspects of our work.
I strongly believe in what our leadership team stands for, and the values they instill in our work. Our team members are empowered to make decisions and can clearly see the impact we have on improving lives and healthcare outcomes. This sense of purpose and the knowledge that we are making a difference, especially in the healthcare sector, is what drives us.
EF: As you approach the 50th anniversary this year, what aspect of this long journey in the country would you most like to celebrate?
MM: On behalf of the company, I am honored and proud to be part of a team which contributes to the healthcare ecosystem. We collaborate with insurance companies, the government, hospitals, and life science clients to provide comprehensive support across the entire healthcare landscape.
We are genuinely excited about the positive transformations within the region and how our efforts align with Vision 2030. To global leaders, I would encourage and recommend more multinational companies to invest in Saudi Arabia. The opportunities here are truly significant. The country is providing the necessary resources and tools to support success, as evidenced by its substantial positive transformation.
