Cairo: Health Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar attended the 17th meeting of the Board of Directors of the Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA) to deliberate on strategic files and regulatory decisions aimed at bolstering the pharmaceutical sector and enhancing Egypt's regulatory and production capabilities.According to State Information Service Egypt, the meeting was also attended by key figures including Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Mohamed Farid, and Minister of Industry Khaled Hashem via video conference. Other notable attendees were Presidential Adviser for Health and Prevention Affairs Mohamed Awad Tag el Dein, Chairman of the Egyptian Authority for Unified Procurement Hisham Stait, Chairman of the General Authority for Healthcare Accreditation and Regulation Ahmed Taha, and President of the Egyptian Medical Association Adel el Adawy.The board analyzed pivotal indicators of Egypt's pharmaceutical market and explored plans to increase domestic production. A significant focus was placed on the locali zation of biopharmaceutical product manufacturing to enhance drug security and boost self-sufficiency.Discussions included the creation of a specialized unit for managing laboratory waste safely, adhering to top environmental standards. Additionally, the preparation of a regulatory inspection manual for raw material manufacturing facilities was discussed to standardize oversight procedures and ensure compliance with good manufacturing practices.Members of the board examined drug pricing decision mechanisms to balance medicine availability at fair prices with the sustainability of the domestic pharmaceutical industry. They also approved the EDA's final accounts for the 2025/2026 fiscal year and reviewed allocations for international funding and participation.Abdel Ghaffar emphasized that localizing biopharmaceutical production and boosting domestic manufacturing are vital components of Egypt's health security strategy. He reaffirmed the state's comprehensive support for national pharmaceutical companies and pledged to remove obstacles for investors.Farid highlighted that the localization of pharmaceutical industries is a top government investment priority, focusing on technology transfer, deepening local manufacturing, and increasing exports. Hashem noted that the pharmaceutical and medical industries are crucial to Egypt's Industry Strategy 2030, contributing to reduced imports, job creation, and positioning Egypt as a regional manufacturing and export hub.Meanwhile, Chairman of the Egyptian Drug Authority, Ali El Ghamrawy, confirmed that the authority prioritizes the quality, safety, and efficacy of pharmaceutical products.