CAIRO, March 20 (MENA) - Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli on Thursday reaffirmed the government's dedication to localizing the pharmaceutical industry in Egypt, emphasizing efforts to facilitate investments and attract more capital to this vital sector.

The approach aims to meet the local market’s demands for medicines while expanding Egyptian pharmaceutical exports to new markets, the premier said during his meeting with Deputy Prime Minister for Human Development and Minister of Health and Population Khaled Abdel Ghaffar to review key sector updates.

Egypt’s pharmaceutical and medical product exports reached $1.5 billion in 2024/2025, with a target of $3 billion by 2030, Abdel Ghaffar said.

He added that local drug production currently meets 93% of domestic demand, with a goal to reach 95% by 2030.

The minister also introduced a new initiative for localizing inactive pharmaceutical ingredients, aiming for sustainable economic efficiency by manufacturing 280 non-active substances locally.

The initiative will start with 30 key ingredients, covering over 60% of Egypt’s import bill for inactive raw materials, ultimately reducing import costs, he revealed.

The minister noted that Egypt has successfully localized the production of 19 active ingredients for modern cardiovascular and diabetes medications, 14 for respiratory diseases, seven for cancer treatments, and nine for advanced antibiotics, in addition to key components for immunosuppressants, antiviral drugs, eye drops, hormones, vitamins, anesthesia, gastrointestinal treatments, dermatology, and neurology drugs.

The estimated economic savings from localizing pharmaceutical raw material is projected to reach $1 billion, he added.

Abdel Ghaffar also presented Egypt’s first multi-purpose active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) factory, which aims to fully localize production of pharmaceutical raw materials. The project is expected to be operational by 2027.

The meeting also covered localizing the vaccine and medical supplies industry, including strategic partnerships with leading global firms to supply the African market with vaccines and essential medical equipment.

Abdel Ghaffar also discussed localizing the production of medical imaging devices, particularly ultrasound machines, X-ray equipment, and surgical imaging tools, in collaboration with specialized global companies.

The meeting reviewed preparations for the second phase of Egypt’s Universal Health Insurance System, set for launch in targeted governorates.

The minister also presented an economic assessment of non-invasive glucose monitoring devices for children with Type 1 diabetes. (MENA)

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