The country is still able to pump investments into the pharmaceutical industry, says Dr M Mostafa Hamed, the Minister of Health and Population, adding that the state has refused to increase the prices of medicine as long as there is a constant growth in this sector. He added that any decision related to increasing drug prices is taken by the Minister of Health; however, the smuggling of pharmaceutical products that are away from control the concerned bodies may cause prices to increase, albeit without formal approval. The minister pointed out that there are tremendous efforts exerted in all pharmaceutical sectors to maintain the local industry, noting that bad news about Egyptian drugs spreads more quickly than good news about the same. That came during the inauguration of a new manufacturing complex where semi-solid drugs will be made by an international pharmaceutical company in Egypt. In additon to the new complex, the existing factory was developed through foreign investments and the renovations have been started in the wake of Revolution of 25 January, using the most updated technology; and production has already been started, said Dr Abdul Aziz Shahin, the manger of the company. He noted that the new complex is built on 550 square metres, noting that the plant will produce 92 pharmaceutical products. Otherwise, export opportunities look good, says Shahin, noting that Sudan is a promising market to which products made at the new plant could be exported.
