The Ministry of Health and Population has announced the successful localisation of the production of nine medicines for oncology and haematology patients in partnership with the private sector, marking a significant step towards strengthening Egypt’s pharmaceutical security and supporting the sustainable availability of essential treatments.
Speaking at a press conference held at the Ministry’s headquarters, Minister of Health and Population Khaled Abdel-Ghaffar said the nine medicines are being manufactured in Egypt for the first time and cover six areas of oncology and haematology care, including liver, breast and lung cancers, the two main types of leukaemia, and immune thrombocytopenia.
The minister said the initiative reflects effective co-operation between the Ministry of Health and Population, the Egyptian Drug Authority and Eva Pharma, and demonstrates the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors in advancing domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Abdel-Ghaffar said the localisation of oncology and haematology medicines represents an important component of the country’s efforts to strengthen the resilience of the pharmaceutical supply chain, reduce exposure to international supply disruptions and support government-funded treatment programmes delivered through ministry facilities, the health insurance system and other healthcare authorities.
He stressed that the success of pharmaceutical localisation should not be measured solely by the number of medicines manufactured domestically, but also by their consistent availability, safety, quality and continuity of supply.
According to the minister, domestic pharmaceutical production currently meets more than 90 per cent of Egypt’s pharmaceutical market requirements, with national self-sufficiency estimated at approximately 91.3 per cent.
Localisation programmes have also enabled the replacement of more than 200 previously imported pharmaceutical products with locally manufactured alternatives, representing annual imports valued at more than US$732 million.
At the same time, national efforts are under way to localise the production of approximately 400 active pharmaceutical ingredients across 30 therapeutic categories, currently representing imports worth around US$1.6 billion.
Abdel-Ghaffar emphasised that the strategic value of localisation extends beyond manufacturing itself, encompassing the transfer of knowledge and technology, the development of specialised Egyptian expertise and the strengthening of national capabilities.
The minister also highlighted the importance of linking early cancer detection with timely access to treatment.
State-led initiatives for the early detection of prostate, colorectal and cervical cancers, launched in 2023 under the direction and support of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, had screened approximately 16.224 million citizens by February 2026.
