Monday 09 March 2026 – 07:59 PM
Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Minister of Health and Population, held an expanded meeting today, Monday, to follow up on the position of supply chains in the health sector, and to ensure the continued availability of medicines, raw materials, devices, and medical supplies in sufficient and stable quantities, to ensure the provision of health care to citizens without any interruption or impact.
Dr. Hossam Abdel Ghaffar, the Ministry’s official spokesman, confirmed that the Minister stressed that the Egyptian state possesses successful accumulated experience in crisis management, which has strengthened its ability to deal efficiently and stably with any developments, pointing to taking effective proactive and precautionary steps that protect the strategic reserve and ensure its stability.
He explained that the Minister directed the continuation of permanent coordination between all concerned parties to support the stability of supply chains, with continuous reassurance on the levels of the strategic reserve, stressing that the state is fully committed – in implementation of the directives of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi – to maintaining the stability of markets and the availability of basic services to citizens with the highest levels of quality and efficiency.
The Minister also directed the formation of a permanent committee that includes all concerned parties, to follow up on the availability of medicine and supplies on a daily basis, monitor any positive or potential changes, and take immediate measures that ensure continuity of supplies and enhance confidence in the health system.
During the meeting, the Minister heard a detailed presentation from Dr. Ali Al-Ghamrawi, Chairman of the Egyptian Medicines Authority, in which he confirmed that the indicators of the strategic stock were very positive, as about 55% of the pharmaceutical materials required for the current year were 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.
Dr. Hisham Steit, head of the Egyptian Unified Purchasing Authority, indicated 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.
The meeting discussed the proposal to launch a financing initiative to support pharmaceutical companies, with the aim of enhancing the strategic stock to cover the needs of an entire year, which reflects the commitment to strengthening the national reserve and ensuring long-term sustainability.
The meeting was attended by Dr. Hesham State, Chairman of the Egyptian Authority for Unified Purchasing, Medical Supply and Supply, and Medical Technology Management, Dr. Ali Al-Ghamrawi, Chairman of the Egyptian Medicines Authority, Dr. Mohamed El-Tayeb, Deputy Minister of Health, and Dr. Ahmed El-Sobki, Chairman of the General Authority for Health Care, along with a number of assistants to the Minister of Health and Population and heads of agencies and sectors affiliated with the Ministry.
The Ministry of Health and Population confirms that the health system in Egypt enjoys strong stability and high flexibility, and that all measures taken ensure the availability of medicine and supplies in sufficient quantities and of high quality, to meet the needs of citizens at all times and with complete reassurance.
