Egypt is accelerating efforts to localise pharmaceutical manufacturing, aiming to boost self-sufficiency, cut medicine shortages, and expand drug exports, the Cabinet said in a statement on Monday. Drug exports rose 65.6 per cent to $447.1 million in 2024 from $270 million in 2019, with products shipped to over 147 markets, including Saudi Arabia, Spain, and Germany. Fitch sees strong export growth According to Fitch Solutions, Egypt's pharmaceutical exports are expected to grow 39 per cent over four years, reaching $466.5 million by 2029. It said the country's emerging biomanufacturing base would strengthen the domestic market and attract foreign investment. WHO and Africa CDC recognise Egypt's regulatory leadership Egypt has also received international recognition for its regulatory framework. The World Health Organisation (WHO) said Egypt had reached Maturity Level 3 for regulating medicines and vaccines, the highest in Africa. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention praised Egypt's approach as a model for self-reliant drug production. Local production covers +90% of national demand The country has 179 pharmaceutical factories, producing human, herbal, veterinary, and biological drugs, along with raw materials. Local production meets 91.3 per cent of national demand, with 93 per cent supplied by the private sector. A strategic reserve of raw materials is maintained for at least three months, and medicine shortages have dropped by 97–98 per cent, the Cabinet added. EDA licenses factories, localises key pharmaceutical ingredients The Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA), established in 2019, has licensed 31 new factories and overseen the localisation of 180 antibiotic products and 129 active ingredients that previously cost $633.7 million annually to import. Efforts are also underway to localise 30 out of 280 inactive ingredients, which make up over 60 per cent of import volume. Gypto Pharma expands production, export capacity Gypto Pharma, launched in 2021 and billed as the region's largest pharmaceutical complex, produces 100 million packs annually, with plans to reach 150–200 million by 2025. Its current exports stand at $2.5–3 million. Private sector expands production capacity Private-sector players are also expanding output. EIPICO, which accounts for a quarter of Egypt's pharmaceutical exports, produces 330 million packs across 51 lines. Its new biosimilars plant, EIPICO 3, is 95 per cent complete and has drawn over $100 million in investment. VACSERA's complex can produce 700 million vaccine doses annually. AstraZeneca Egypt invested $50 million to boost its local capacity to 900 million tablets per year. Meanwhile, Egypt has localised production of insulin glargine and nearly all COVID-19 treatments, as well as 50 local alternatives to imported drugs, saving $182 million annually in import costs. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English Subediting: Y.Yasser
