Cairo: Health Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar met with a delegation from the World Health Organization (WHO) to review cooperation with the Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA) ahead of its scheduled re-evaluation for maturity level three (ML3) accreditation in 2026. The meeting aimed to support the EDA's preparations to achieve the fourth maturity level in vaccine and pharmaceutical manufacturing.

According to State Information Service Egypt, Health Ministry Spokesman Hossam Abdel Ghaffar stated that the visit is part of broader efforts by the EDA to achieve ML4 status. He noted that Egypt was the first African country to obtain WHO's advanced ML3 classification for medicine and vaccine regulatory oversight.

The spokesman added that periodic training conducted by WHO follow-up missions has demonstrated the EDA's commitment to ensuring the safety, efficacy, and quality of both locally produced and imported medicines. These efforts align with Egypt's strategy to upgrade its pharmaceutical sector to meet international standards.

He also emphasized that Egypt's post-vaccination adverse event surveillance system was a key factor in securing the ML3 classification. The system remains a vital component in the EDA's ongoing efforts to renew its accreditation, further boosting confidence in Egypt's pharmaceutical regulatory framework.