Egypt’s Prime Minister of Egypt, Dr. Mustafa Madbouly, attended a celebration organized by the Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA) at the Grand Egyptian Museum on Monday, April 7, 2025, under the auspices of His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. The event marked the EDA’s achievement of the World Health Organization (WHO) “Level 3 Maturity” certification in the field of pharmaceuticals, making Egypt the first country in Africa to receive this prestigious recognition for both vaccines and pharmaceuticals.
The celebration was attended by a distinguished group of officials, including Eng. Kamel El-Wazir, Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport, Eng. Mohamed Shimi, Minister of Public Business Sector, and Dr. Ali El-Ghamrawy, Head of the Egyptian Drug Authority.
Also present were Dr. Ibrahim Saber Khalil, Governor of Cairo, Eng. Adel El-Naggar, Governor of Giza, Dr. Mohamed Awad Tageldin, Health and Preventive Affairs Advisor to the President, Dr. Adham Ismail, Director of Programs at the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, Dr. Hisham Stait, Head of the Egyptian Unified Procurement Authority, as well as ambassadors, senior officials, and leaders from various government agencies and health sectors.
The highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of the WHO certification to Dr. Ali El-Ghamrawy, Head of the EDA, officially recognizing Egypt as the first African nation to achieve “Level 3 Maturity” in pharmaceutical and vaccine regulation.
A Vision for National Health and Pharmaceutical Growth
During the event, Prime Minister Madbouly watched a documentary film showcasing the Egyptian Drug Authority’s journey and achievements in obtaining international accreditations. The Prime Minister also listened to key speeches, including one from Dr. Ali El-Ghamrawy, who began by expressing his heartfelt congratulations to Egypt for this historic achievement. He highlighted that the certification marked a significant milestone in Egypt’s efforts to regulate the pharmaceutical sector and elevate its role on the global stage.
Dr. El-Ghamrawy praised the leadership of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi for his visionary guidance, which has led the Egyptian pharmaceutical sector through a transformative process, strengthening Egypt’s regional and global position in this critical area.
He also expressed his appreciation for the continuous support provided by Dr. Madbouly in promoting the Egyptian pharmaceutical sector, overcoming challenges, and ensuring its growth and prosperity.
Pioneering Local Pharmaceutical Industry
Dr. El-Ghamrawy emphasized the EDA’s focus on localizing pharmaceutical production, pointing to Egypt’s impressive self-sufficiency rate of 91.3% in medicines. This has been made possible through initiatives such as the localization of inactive pharmaceutical ingredients and collaborations aimed at advancing manufacturing technology. The EDA’s strategies have not only strengthened Egypt’s domestic pharmaceutical capabilities but have also enabled the country to open new markets for Egyptian medicines across Africa, the Arab world, Latin America, and now expanding into Asia and Europe.
Supporting Health Security and Access to Medicines
A key part of the EDA’s mission is ensuring that all Egyptian citizens have access to safe, effective, and affordable medicines. Dr. El-Ghamrawy outlined that Egypt’s pharmaceutical regulatory framework is built to meet global standards, with rigorous oversight, including inspections of raw materials and manufacturing practices, ensuring the highest standards for medicine quality and efficacy.
He also stressed that the EDA’s commitment to strengthening healthcare integration with African and global partners contributes to achieving Egypt’s broader health goals, promoting international cooperation to build a stronger, more resilient global health system.
International Recognition and Certification
Dr. Adham Ismail, Director of the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office, praised Egypt’s achievement, noting that the country had reached a significant milestone by attaining “Level 3 Maturity” in the global WHO regulatory framework for both medicines and vaccines. This level reflects a stable and effective regulatory system that is capable of ensuring the safety, efficacy, and quality of medical products.
Dr. Ismail highlighted that this achievement marks a significant step forward for Egypt’s health system and contributes to the overall improvement of pharmaceutical regulation in Africa, with Egypt now leading the continent in both vaccine and pharmaceutical regulation.
Celebrating Success and Collaboration
The event also included a recognition ceremony where Dr. Madbouly, Prime Minister of Egypt, honored the leaders of the Egyptian Drug Authority and its industry partners who played a key role in achieving this international recognition.
Dr. El-Ghamrawy concluded his speech by reiterating his gratitude to President El-Sisi and Prime Minister Madbouly for their unwavering support, and to the EDA staff and partners who contributed to this unprecedented achievement.
In his remarks, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the WHO, sent a recorded message congratulating Egypt and the EDA on reaching this milestone, saying, “Congratulations to Egypt on this major achievement.”
A Bright Future for Egypt’s Pharmaceutical Sector
With the attainment of WHO’s “Level 3 Maturity” certification, Egypt has firmly established itself as a leader in pharmaceutical regulation in Africa and the broader global health community. This achievement reinforces Egypt’s commitment to improving health outcomes and providing its citizens with safe, effective, and high-quality medicines while also strengthening the country’s position as a key player in the global pharmaceutical industry.
The Egyptian Drug Authority’s continued efforts to innovate, collaborate, and enhance its regulatory practices signal a promising future for Egypt’s pharmaceutical sector and the broader healthcare landscape.
