Dr. Ali Al-Ghamrawy, Head of Egypt’s Drug Authority, participated in the launch of the 2nd Vaccine and Health Product Manufacturers Forum for African Union member states, held from February 4 to 6, 2025, in Cairo. The Egyptian Unified Procurement Authority in collaboration with the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), Gavi – the Vaccine Alliance, and the Regional Vaccine Manufacturing Consortium (RVMC) organized the event .
In his opening speech, Dr. Al-Ghamrawy reaffirmed the Egyptian Drug Authority’s commitment to supporting regional initiatives aimed at enhancing Africa’s self-sufficiency in pharmaceuticals. He emphasized the importance of collaboration between African Union member states to ensure the provision of safe and effective vaccines and health products, which are essential for improving healthcare access and strengthening local manufacturing capabilities across the continent.
Key Participants from the Egyptian Drug Authority
The opening session also saw significant participation from the Egyptian Drug Authority, including Dr. Tamer El-Husseiny, Deputy Head of the Authority; Dr. Youssef Ragab, Assistant to the Head of the Authority; Dr. Amani Gawdat, Senior Advisor to the Head and Supervisor of the Central Office of the Authority’s Head; Dr. Asmaa Fouad, Head of the Central Department for Biological and Innovative Medicines and Clinical Studies; and Dr. Osama Hatem, Assistant to the Head for Policies and International Cooperation.
A High-Profile Opening Session
The opening session brought together Dr. Mohamed Awad Tag El-Din, Health and Prevention Advisor to the President of Egypt, Dr. Hisham Setteit, Head of the Unified Procurement Authority, Dr. John Nkengasong, Director of Africa CDC, and Dr. Saniya Nashtar, CEO of Gavi. Also present were senior representatives from African health ministries and international organizations.
During the session, participants discussed strategies to boost regional cooperation in the manufacturing of vaccines and health products. They explored how countries can integrate efforts to ensure the availability of safe, effective vaccines and medicines, thus advancing health security across Africa.
Strengthening Regional Cooperation in Vaccine Production
The forum brought together health and pharmaceutical officials from African Union member states, local vaccine manufacturers, and key stakeholders in the African vaccine manufacturing space. The goal was to promote regional cooperation in vaccine production and support efforts to achieve pharmaceutical self-sufficiency within Africa.
A key topic of discussion was the launch of the African Unified Procurement Mechanism (APPM), designed to streamline vaccine and health product procurement across the continent. The initiative aims to ensure that vaccines and health products are accessible at competitive prices, with equitable distribution to all member states.
Addressing Challenges and Opportunities for Collaboration
Discussions also delved into the challenges faced by African countries in implementing these initiatives and explored ways to enhance cooperation among member states. Participants underscored the pivotal role of Egypt’s Drug Authority in providing regulatory support to guarantee the safety and quality of health products across the continent.
Strengthening Research and Development in Vaccine Manufacturing
During the forum, it was announced that the Egyptian Unified Procurement Authority, in collaboration with the Pasteur Institute of Morocco, will host a new training center for biotechnology in North Africa. This initiative is seen as a major step toward fostering continent-wide cooperation in research and development and reinforcing the capacity of African nations to produce vaccines locally.
Egypt’s Role in Standardizing Regulatory Practices
Dr. Dalia Abu Hussein, Director General of the Quality Assurance Department and Egypt’s representative on the African Medicines Regulatory Harmonization (AMRH) Steering Committee, participated in a session focused on quality assurance and regulatory practices. She highlighted the Egyptian Drug Authority’s efforts to standardize regulatory guidelines, ensuring that pharmaceutical products meet rigorous safety standards. This initiative aims to enhance regulatory cooperation between African nations, ultimately improving access to safe and effective medicines and vaccines.
