Saturday 04/April/2026 – 08:46 PM
The Egyptian Drug Authority is heading to address some companies producing and importing strategic and vital preparations, to increase its stock of pharmaceutical raw materials and medicines during the coming period for an additional period of between one and two months above the current stock, in order to avoid any potential negative effects on the availability of these products in the local market, in light of the repercussions of the American-Israeli-Iranian war and its impact on supply chains, energy, and shipping prices globally, according to what an official source in the authority told Cairo 24.
Directed to increase the strategic stock of raw materials and medicines for an additional two months
During the weekly press conference of Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister, last Wednesday, he directed that the duration of the strategic reserve of basic goods, medicines and medical supplies be increased to between 8 and 9 months, within the framework of enhancing drug and food security and ensuring the availability of citizens’ basic needs.
A second source at the Egyptian Medicines Authority explained to Cairo 24 that the Authority is constantly following up with pharmaceutical companies on supply operations and supply chains, to confront any challenges that may affect the availability of pharmaceutical raw materials, noting that if any problem occurs related to the source of supply of certain raw materials, the Authority intervenes to provide alternative suppliers and factories to purchase and supply raw materials from them, ensuring that the production process is not affected.
The Drug Authority periodically monitors companies’ supply chains and provides alternative supply sources for raw materials
The source added that there is a trend during the coming period to intensify reliance on shipping via air rather than sea transport, with the aim of accelerating the pace of arrival of medicines and pharmaceutical raw materials and ensuring their rapid flow to factories and the local market.
He stressed that the Authority periodically and intensively monitors the stocks of a large number of pharmaceutical items in the local market, whether medications available in pharmacies, or currently being manufactured, or available raw materials that will be used in manufacturing, stressing that so far there is no shortage of any vital preparation, especially medications for chronic diseases and other essential medications.
According to a previous statement from the Ministry of Health, last March 9, Dr. Ali Al-Ghamrawi, head of the Egyptian Medicines Authority, confirmed that the indicators of the strategic stock are very positive, as about 55% of the pharmaceutical materials required for the current year have been imported, and that 80% of the active substances in the market cover more than three months of production, and 18% cover two months, while the coverage of any substance is not less than a month, which reflects the strength and stability of pharmaceutical supplies during the year 2026.
Meanwhile, Dr. Hisham State, Chairman of the Egyptian Unified Purchasing Authority, confirmed that the stock available to companies is within safe limits, with a very reassuring position for medical supplies, and that any challenges are dealt with effectively through continuous coordination.
