Cairo: Dr. Ali Al-Ghamrawi, head of the Egyptian Drug Authority, confirmed that the authority has worked over the past five years to create institutional indicators that distinguish it on an international level.
According to State Information Service Egypt, this has been achieved by operating according to the latest global regulatory and oversight benchmarks. The continuous updating and development witnessed by the authority across all technical, administrative, and regulatory aspects have enhanced its chances of obtaining numerous high-level international accreditations.
He expressed his gratitude and appreciation for the significant efforts and exceptional support provided by His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Republic, concerning the pharmaceutical sector. He noted that Egypt’s acquisition of advanced international accreditations came as a result of His Excellency’s care, guidance, and ongoing support for the Egyptian pharmaceutical industry.
He praised the cooperation and joint coordination between the Egyptian Drug Authority and the World Health Organization to elevate the pharmaceutical industry system in Egypt, maintain its regional leadership, and work on developing the Egyptian drug regulatory system.
In this context, the head of the Egyptian Drug Authority confirmed that Egypt managed to obtain the World Health Organization’s “third maturity level” accreditation in the field of vaccines in March 2022, and that the greatest challenge was to reach the same level in pharmaceuticals, which was indeed achieved in December 2024.
Al-Ghamrawi pointed out that this high-level achievement was made possible due to Egypt’s commitment to ensuring the availability of safe, effective, and high-quality medical products. The classification came after a formal benchmark evaluation according to the Global Benchmarking Tool (GBT) assessment of the World Health Organization, which relies on more than 250 indicators using the GBT tool.
Achieving the third level indicates the existence of a stable, effective, and integrated regulatory system, and this achievement will contribute to supporting Egypt’s national health priorities and achieving sustainable development goals. He clarified that Egypt is the first African country to reach this advanced classification in the regulation of locally manufactured medicines and vaccines.
This significant achievement opens doors for new export markets and substantial foreign investments, contributes to deepening the local production of vaccines and vital medicines, enhances the competitive opportunities for Egyptian pharmaceuticals globally, reflects international confidence in the strength of the Egyptian regulatory system, and provides a strong impetus for the future of the pharmaceutical industry in Egypt, thereby reinforcing the leadership of the Egyptian Drug Authority and solidifying its regional and international standing.
In conclusion, Al-Ghamrawi affirmed the Egyptian Drug Authority’s ability to continue moving forward to provide the appropriate environment for the success of the Egyptian pharmaceutical industry, and to work with international and local industry partners as well as relevant international health and pharmaceutical organisations to maintain the strength of the Egyptian drug market and ensure the continued flow of important medical products to African, Arab, and global markets.