Dr. Ali El-Ghamrawy, Chairman of the Egyptian Drug Authority: Praises efforts to improve pharmaceutical products quality and modernize production lines to align with technological advancements.
Creating an investment-friendly environment in the pharmaceutical sector and strengthening collaboration with national companies to expand production.
Dr. Ali El-Ghamrawy, Chairman of the Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA), and Eng. Mohamed Shimy, Minister of The Public Business Sector, conducted an extensive field tour of several companies under the Holding Company for Pharmaceuticals, Chemicals, and Medical Supplies—one of the ministry's subsidiaries. The visit included Arabian Drug Company (ADCO), Memphis Pharmaceuticals, and Nile Pharmaceuticals to oversee the recent developments in their production facilities. This initiative is part of a joint strategy to enhance the companies' production capacity, competitiveness, and compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), reinforcing Egypt’s pharmaceutical security.
Eng. Mohamed Shimy emphasized that the ministry is committed to the advancement of the pharmaceutical sector within its affiliated companies and enhancing the Holding Company’s role in ensuring national pharmaceutical security. He highlighted the importance of ongoing development projects, which focus on upgrading production lines, adopting modern technology, optimizing resources, and aligning with international manufacturing standards. These efforts aim to improve productivity, operational efficiency, and competitiveness while ensuring the availability of high-quality, affordable medicines for citizens.
The minister also underscored the ministry’s close collaboration with EDA to enhance GMP compliance. He praised the development efforts undertaken by the companies, which reflect the ministry’s strategy to modernize production lines and infrastructure, thereby improving competitiveness and boosting Egyptian pharmaceutical exports. Expanding into international markets and increasing exports are key pillars of this strategy to strengthen the position of national pharmaceutical companies regionally and globally.
He further noted the ministry’s focus on investing in human capital, training employees, and improving their skills through various programs, benefiting from their accumulated expertise and enhancing workplace conditions.
Dr. Ali El-Ghamrawy, Chairman of EDA, highlighted the pivotal role played by the Holding Company for Pharmaceuticals in supporting Egypt’s national pharmaceutical security. He praised the ongoing efforts to enhance pharmaceutical products quality and modernize production lines, ensuring alignment with the latest technological advancements in the pharmaceutical sector. He emphasized the importance of continuing these efforts to strengthen the healthcare system and ensure the sustained availability of essential medicines. This will also support Egyptian pharmaceutical exports and improve their standing in regional and international markets.
He reaffirmed EDA’s commitment to fostering an investment-friendly environment in the pharmaceutical sector by enhancing infrastructure, promoting collaboration with national companies, and expanding drug production. The authority is dedicated to achieving its vision of advancing pharmaceutical manufacturing in Egypt, supporting scientific research, and providing regulatory and technical support to industry partners. These initiatives contribute to strengthening the healthcare sector’s ability to address emerging challenges.
Accompanying the minister and chairman during the tour were Rasha Omar, Assistant Minister; Dr. Ashraf El-Khouly, Executive Managing Director of the Holding Company for Pharmaceuticals; Dr. Tamer El-Husseiny, Vice Chairman of EDA; and Dr. Amira Mahgoub, Head of the Central Operations Administration at EDA.
The Arab Drug Company (ADCO), which operates 13 production lines, has undergone extensive development, with investments exceeding EGP 600 million. The upgrades include the solid pharmaceutical production area, aerosol inhalation production unit, a new water treatment station, raw material dispensing areas, and warehouses. Additionally, the syrup production unit and power station are scheduled for completion before the end of the year, along with enhancements to the central air conditioning system to ensure continuous operational efficiency in line with the highest standards.
It is worth noting that Arab Drug Company is one of Egypt’s leading pharmaceutical manufacturers, established in 1964. Its key products include Rivo, Amigraine, Phenadone, Hextol, Actinon, Vental, and Candidstan. The company exports to several Arab and African countries, including Sudan, Iraq, Yemen, the UAE, Libya, Senegal, Nigeria, Mali, and Zimbabwe.
Between July 2024 and February 2025, ADCO recorded sales of EGP 777 million, reflecting a 39% growth compared to the same period the previous year. Additionally, the company achieved profits of EGP 103 million, underscoring the success of its development strategies and increased production capacity.
Memphis Pharmaceuticals operates 15 production lines, covering a wide range of pharmaceutical forms, including tablets, capsules, injections, creams, ointments, and veterinary products. The company is a market leader in Egypt for creams and ointments, with an annual production capacity of 22 million tubes.
Significant upgrades have been made to various production areas to comply with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). Key developments include the new ointments, creams, and lotion production area, which has been established and equipped with state-of-the-art machinery. Additionally, the tablet coating section has undergone a comprehensive refurbishment to enhance production accuracy and product quality.
The ampoule production area has also been modernized, with three production lines upgraded, alongside partial enhancements to the purified water station to improve water quality used in manufacturing, ensuring compliance with international standards. Several critical machines have been rehabilitated and optimized, including the Rota (3) machine in Ampoule Unit (1) to maintain continuous operations and uphold the highest quality standards. Additionally, one of the tablet stripping machines has been refurbished, improving production efficiency and increasing manufacturing capacity.

Founded in 1940, Memphis Pharmaceuticals is one of the oldest and most prestigious pharmaceutical and chemical companies in the Middle East. The company exports its products to multiple Gulf, African, and Eastern European markets.
During the first half of the 2024-2025 fiscal year, Memphis Pharmaceuticals recorded an impressive 223% profit growth and an 83% increase in revenues, reflecting the success of its modernization efforts and expanded production capacity.
The tour concluded with a visit to Nile Pharmaceuticals, which operates 22 production lines. The company has recently upgraded five production areas to align with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) requirements. These upgrades include the ointment, cream, and suppository production areas, rehydration solutions, and effervescent powders. Additionally, the syrup and oral drops production unit has been refurbished, along with the establishment of a centralized raw material dispensing and subdivision area and partial enhancements to the water treatment station.
These improvements have significantly boosted production efficiency, resulting in a 37% increase in effervescent powder production capacity, a 50% increase in syrups and ointments, and a 36% increase in rehydration solutions.
Founded in 1962, Nile Pharmaceuticals has a long-standing legacy in the pharmaceutical industry. The company is dedicated to producing a wide range of high-quality pharmaceutical products that meet the demands of both local and regional markets.