Al-Ghamrawy: Egypt is Leading the Transformation Toward a Unified African Pharmaceutical System that Will Reshape the Global Medicines Landscape

Al-Ghamrawy: African Pharmaceutical Integration Is No Longer an Aspiration … It Is an Emerging Continental Power Project

Al-Ghamrawy: The Egyptian Experience Serves as a Model for Localizing Pharmaceutical Manufacturing and Strengthening Regulatory Capacities

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Dr. Ali El-Ghamrawy, Chairman of the Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA), participated in the high-level event organized by the World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with the African Medicines Agency (AMA), at the WHO headquarters in Geneva, under the theme: “Towards a More Integrated and Resilient African Pharmaceutical System: Strengthening Medical Product Regulation through the African Medicines Agency and WHO Partnership.” The event brought together senior health and regulatory leaders from various countries and international organizations.

During his remarks, Dr. Ali El-Ghamrawy emphasized that Africa possesses significant potential to become an influential global force in the pharmaceutical industry, stressing the importance of building an integrated and resilient African regulatory system capable of supporting pharmaceutical security, promoting local manufacturing, and attracting investment.

The Chairman of the Egyptian Drug Authority further noted that strengthening regulatory integration among African countries represents a pivotal step toward accelerating access to safe and effective medical products, supporting local pharmaceutical manufacturing, and advancing regulatory reliance mechanisms across the continent. Such efforts, he explained, contribute to building a stronger and more sustainable African pharmaceutical system capable of effectively addressing health challenges.

Dr. El-Ghamrawy also highlighted Egypt’s pioneering experience in localizing pharmaceutical manufacturing and strengthening regulatory capacities, noting that Egypt currently achieves nearly 91% pharmaceutical self-sufficiency and accounts for more than half of Africa’s pharmaceutical exports. He further underscored the regional role played by the Egyptian Drug Authority in supporting training, capacity building, and the transfer of regulatory expertise to African countries.

He affirmed that regulatory cooperation among African nations is no longer optional, but rather a strategic necessity to address health challenges and enhance the availability of safe and effective medical products across the continent.

This high-level participation by the Egyptian Drug Authority reflects Egypt’s continued pivotal role within the African continent and reinforces its position as one of the leading supporters of advancing pharmaceutical regulatory systems at both the regional and international levels. It also demonstrates the Egyptian state’s commitment to strengthening effective partnerships with the World Health Organization and the African Medicines Agency, in support of African integration efforts, regulatory harmonization, and the exchange of technical expertise among countries.

Within this context, the Egyptian Drug Authority continues to play its regional and international role as a leading regulatory model across Africa, further strengthening Egypt’s position as a key partner in shaping the future of the African pharmaceutical system and as an active contributor to advancing health integration and sustainable development.

The Authority also reaffirmed that building a more resilient and integrated African pharmaceutical system is no longer merely an ambitious objective, but rather a strategic pathway around which countries and institutions are uniting to ensure equitable access to safe and effective medicines for all people across the continent.