Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly affirmed on Sunday that Egypt’s pharmaceutical sector remains a strategic priority, hence its vital role in securing essential medicines and strengthening national healthcare security.
During a meeting with Head of the Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA), Ali el-Ghamrawy, Madbouly stressed the importance of developing the pharmaceutical industry, accelerating the localisation of pharmaceutical and medical-supply manufacturing, and expanding domestic production to meet market needs.
He noted that greater local manufacturing would reduce reliance on imports and create opportunities for pharmaceutical exports, provided production meets the highest standards of quality, safety and efficacy.
Madbouly congratulated el-Ghamrawy and EDA staff on Egypt’s continued recognition by the World Health Organisation (WHO) at Maturity Level 3 for medicines, following the country’s achievement of the same level for vaccines in March 2022.
Egypt is the first African country to attain WHO Maturity Level 3 for both medicines and vaccines.
The prime minister described the achievement as a major international milestone reflecting significant progress in Egypt’s pharmaceutical regulatory system and the ability of state institutions to meet distinguished international standards.
He praised the EDA’s efforts to strengthen the regulatory and supervisory framework, stressing the need to preserve these gains and pursue higher levels of international excellence and accreditation.
Such efforts, he said, are essential to reinforcing Egypt’s regional and international leadership in pharmaceuticals.
During the meeting, el-Ghamrawy reviewed the EDA’s latest operational files and regulatory initiatives, explaining that WHO’s continued recognition reflects the efficiency, stability and integration of Egypt’s national regulatory framework and its compliance with internationally recognised standards.
He said the achievement strengthens Egypt’s leadership in the Arab and African regions and supports its role in shaping pharmaceutical policies, standards and regulatory practices.
The EDA is implementing institutional, technical and regulatory improvements to advance toward WHO Maturity Level 4, the highest level in the organisation’s regulatory maturity framework.
A recent WHO evaluation visit found enhanced implementation across the Authority’s functions and competencies. Continued WHO evaluation and re-evaluation processes are supporting sustained improvement and preparing Egypt for further advancement.
El-Ghamrawy also highlighted the EDA’s success in securing WHO prequalification and accreditation for its pharmaceutical control laboratories, strengthening international confidence in Egypt’s regulatory, laboratory and quality-control capabilities.
