Egypt Aims to Produce 90% of Needed Medicines

Why this is here: Egypt’s strategy includes linking more than 5,000 healthcare facilities to a real-time monitoring system for improved data visibility.

Egyptian Health Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar advocates for increased local drug manufacturing in Geneva. He spoke at a healthcare supply chain event during the 79th World Health Assembly. Abdel Ghaffar asserts that stronger local production builds resilient healthcare and lessens dependence on global supply chains.

The COVID-19 pandemic revealed Egypt’s reliance on imports and weaknesses in data tracking, prompting a national strategy. This strategy focuses on digital integration of over 5,000 facilities, expanding local pharmaceutical production to 85% to 90% of needs, and regional cooperation. Egypt recently screened 60 million citizens and treated 5.5 million with hepatitis C.

Egypt’s Drug Authority achieved WHO Maturity Level 3, increasing confidence in its products. The unified procurement system lowered hepatitis C treatment costs to $40 per patient, down from $900. However, the minister acknowledges continued need for international collaboration to build sustainable systems.