Egypt’s Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouli on Monday met with Finance Minister Mohamed Maeet, Minister of Trade Ahmed Samir and other officials to discuss promotion of the pharmaceuticals industry.
The purpose of the meeting was to follow up stocks of medicines and medical supplies, the premier said, adding that co-ordination with the Central Bank of Egypt is on-going to ensure the timely release of raw materials and other relevant supplies.
The premier said pharmaceuticals are as much a priority as basic foods, the prime minister said.
Periodic follow-up is essential for the supply of raw materials for pharmaceutical factories to ensure that sufficient quantities are available, Madbouli said.
This is the best time to work to localise the manufacture of medicines and the state is ready to give the sector incentives in order to attain the desired economic goals, Madbouli added.
For his part, Trade Minister Ahmed Samir said that he and the Minister of Health and Population had met with representatives of the Chamber of Medicine Industry and Central Bank officials.
The secretary general of the chamber will follow up requirements for medical supplies and materials, Samir said, adding that priorities had been identified.
The secretary general of the chamber at the Federation of Industry presented the required needs for the medical sector, including raw materials, pharmaceutical supplies for several months to come, adding that co-ordination is in place with the Central Bank to provide necessary financing for pharmaceutical materials.
The President’s Adviser for Health and Prevention Affairs said Egypt has 177 drug manufacturing companies, hence the need for co-ordination and co-operation between these companies to diversify their products.
