In a decisive step towards boosting transparency and access to pharmaceuticals, the Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA) has announced plans to implement a comprehensive national medicine tracking system by the second half of 2025. The EDA’s head, Ali Ghamrawy, revealed this development in a statement to Asharq Business, underscoring that the initiative is designed to address critical issues like medicine hoarding, monopolistic practices, and supply shortages.
The tracking system will actively monitor pharmaceutical stock levels across production companies and pharmacies, covering both displayed and stored supplies. Additionally, it will facilitate the identification and management of expired medications, a measure aimed at reducing health risks associated with outdated drugs.
Ghamrawy highlighted a notable shift in Egypt’s pharmaceutical market, with exports decreasing by 36% to $610 million in the first nine months of this year compared to $951 million during the same period in 2023. This reduction reflects the EDA’s current focus on prioritizing domestic market needs over exports.
In line with this strategy, Egypt has accelerated the release of raw pharmaceutical materials, increasing from 1,200 to 1,600 materials in the first half of 2024, and reaching up to 2,000 materials over the past four months. This intensified effort aims to meet local demand, improve supply chain reliability, and advance the overall quality of healthcare provision in Egypt.
