Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly stressed that the pharmaceutical sector is one of the vital sectors receiving significant state attention, given its direct role in meeting citizens’ essential needs. He underscored the need to continue efforts to strengthen the capacity of Egypt’s domestic pharmaceutical industry, support the localization of pharmaceutical and medical-supplies production, and increase local output in a way that helps secure market needs, reduce reliance on imports and open new prospects for Egyptian pharmaceutical exports, while maintaining the highest standards of quality and efficacy.
Madbouly made the remarks during a meeting on Sunday, September 13, 2026, with Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA) Chairman Ali El-Ghamrawy to review several of the authority’s work files and the latest efforts to develop Egypt’s pharmaceutical system and strengthen the sector’s capabilities.
During the meeting, El-Ghamrawy reviewed the EDA’s efforts to secure World Health Organization (WHO) recognition in regulating locally manufactured medicines and vaccines. He noted that the authority had attained Maturity Level 3 for medicines, following its attainment of the same level for vaccines in March 2022, making Egypt the first country in Africa to achieve the milestone in both fields.
El-Ghamrawy said that WHO’s continued recognition of Egypt’s pharmaceutical regulatory system at Maturity Level 3 reflects the efficiency, stability and integration of the regulatory framework and its ability to perform its functions in line with international standards.
He noted that the recognition brings several benefits, including consolidating Egypt’s leadership at the Arab and African levels and strengthening its role in shaping the global pharmaceutical landscape. It also enables Egypt to participate more effectively in developing global pharmaceutical policies and standards through its engagement with relevant international and regional organizations and bodies.
The EDA Chairman added that the authority is continuing work on a number of improvements and upgrades required to advance to WHO-accredited Maturity Level 4. He reviewed key findings from the WHO’s assessment visit, which showed higher levels of implementation across the authority’s various regulatory functions and areas of responsibility.
He affirmed that Egypt is proceeding along the normal course of WHO reassessment processes, supporting continuous improvement and the sustainability of the maturity level achieved by the Egyptian pharmaceutical regulatory system. El-Ghamrawy also pointed to the EDA’s success in obtaining WHO prequalification and accreditation for the authority’s pharmaceutical control laboratories, describing it as a new international achievement that reflects the development of the authority’s technical and regulatory capabilities and strengthens confidence in Egypt’s pharmaceutical regulatory system.
Madbouly congratulated El-Ghamrawy and all EDA employees on the distinguished international achievement. He stressed that Egypt’s continued attainment of WHO Maturity Level 3 for medicines, alongside its attainment of the same level for vaccines, represents a global achievement reflecting the progress of Egypt’s pharmaceutical system and the ability of state institutions to meet leading international standards.
The Premier praised the EDA’s significant efforts to advance the regulatory and supervisory framework governing the pharmaceutical sector, commending the authority’s employees for their continued efforts toward development and ongoing improvement. Madbouly stressed the importance of continuing efforts to preserve the gains achieved and advancing the development process toward higher levels of excellence and international recognition, further strengthening Egypt’s position and leadership in the pharmaceutical sector at the regional and international levels.