Egypt’s government reviews medicine availability, allocates EGP 2.8b to pharma sector

Egypt’s Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly on Wednesday reviewed government efforts to secure medicine supplies and stabilise the pharmaceutical market, as authorities move to ease payment backlogs owed to drug manufacturers.

Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk said the government has allocated 2.8 billion Egyptian pounds to the Egyptian Authority for Unified Procurement (UPA) to support the provision of medicines, adding that further funding will be released in the coming period to cover additional needs.

Madbouly said ensuring the availability of essential medicines remained a priority, adding that the government is working to strengthen local manufacturing by improving the regulatory and investment environment to attract private-sector production.

The officials also discussed measures to stabilise the market, including addressing delays in sourcing raw materials, improving supply and distribution chains, and securing strategic biological products.

The meeting reviewed outstanding dues owed to pharmaceutical companies and outlined steps to facilitate payments to avoid production disruptions. Madbouly said the moves align with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s directives to ensure sustainable medicine supplies and support the sector’s stability.

Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English

Subediting: Y.Yasser