Cairo: Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli said on Tuesday the government is continuing tireless efforts to localize the pharmaceutical industry, especially advanced drugs like oncology drugs and insulin in a bid to achieve self-sufficiency.

According to State Information Service Egypt, the government is also cooperating with the private sector and international partners to transfer advanced technology and develop skilled cadres capable of innovation, the premier said.

Madbouli gave the remarks during a ceremony organized by the Egyptian Drug Authority at the Grand Egyptian Museum under the sponsorship of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi. The ceremony marks the authority’s attainment of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) ‘Maturity Level 3’ certification in the medicine domain.

Such an accomplishment reflects great efforts exerted by the authority to develop an integrated regulatory mechanism that aligns with international standards in a way that enhances Egypt’s position as a trusted reference in the pharmaceutical domain both regionally and globally, he said.

‘We succeeded in building advanced infrastructure in the pharmaceutical sector, driven by strong national capabilities and significant potential in both the public and private sectors,’ Madbouli said, noting that Egypt exported $1 billion worth of medical products in the last fiscal year, with a target of tripling that figure to $3 billion by 2030.

Egypt is already exporting pharmaceutical products to more than 147 countries.

About the availability of medicines, he said he is keen on following up on a periodical basis the country’s strategic stockpile of medicines and medical supplies.

He referred to the authority’s efforts to secure the availability of raw materials and medical supplies, follow up on production and export operations, and conduct inspection campaigns to curb any malpractice in the pharmaceutical market. The government, he said, remains committed to meeting the needs of citizens while boosting exports to support the national economy.