Egypt deploys pharmaceuticals shipment to Zimbabwe as part of an exclusive drug agreement

EGYPT – As part of an agreement to support capacity-building and technical support activities, Egypt has exported the first shipment of locally manufactured pharmaceutical products to Zimbabwe.

It is in line with the Memorandum of Understanding signed between Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and Zimbabwe to provide high-end Egyptian drugs to Zimbabwe.

The United Arab Emirates was represented by its global medical consumables giant IntraPharma, Egypt was involved through Gypto Pharma, represented by the Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA) while Zimbabwe was represented by the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ).

In a press statement, EDA Chairman Tamer Essam said: “This step is part of the Egyptian Drug Authority’s efforts to support the export of Egyptian pharmaceutical products to Africa and reflects its commitment to support local industry partners.”

The Egyptian Drug Authority plans to cooperate with several regulatory authorities with the aim of penetrating the entire African continent.

The Egyptian drugs were dispatched by Egypt’s Gypto Pharma to enhance drug stocks in Zimbabwe and ensure essential medicines are available at affordable prices at public health institutions.

Hence, Egypt’s first shipment to Zimbabwe falls within the medical standardization framework between the Egyptian Drug Authority and the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe in May 2023.

This deployment builds on the Zimbabwean authorities’ aspiration to replicate the Gypto Pharma experience through erecting their own pharma city near the Victoria Falls, with the help of the Egyptian and Emirati sides.

Under the agreement, the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe will rely on the EDA’s procedures in the field of pharmaceutical registration as a reference point.

MCAZ and EDA are also working closely to facilitate cooperation and collaboration between the two countries in the areas of drug regulation, quality control, and pharmacovigilance.

As a result, the medicinal regulatory partnership between Zimbabwe and Egypt will enhance the safety and efficacy of medicines in both countries, promote the development of the pharmaceutical industry as well as create opportunities for investment and trade.

On his part, Zimbabwe’s Vice President and substantive Minister of Health and Child Care, Constantino Chiwenga, said: “This partnership presents an opportunity for us to access affordable medicines from Egypt while also creating opportunities for our local pharmaceutical companies to export their products to Egypt.”

The two African countries’ medicines regulators are expected to pave the way for beneficial drug trade and mutual exchange of ideas in their respective pharmaceutical fields.

To this end, Egypt has shipped locally-made pharmaceuticals to facilitate Egyptian pharmaceuticals’ access to the Zimbabwean market, aligning with the country’s national plan to boost medical product exports.

This marks Egypt’s second market on the African continent after the Egyptian Drug Authority signed a collaboration agreement with the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA).

The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority and the EDA reached an agreement to foster collaborative engagements in pharmaceutical, biological, and medical devices regulations.

These above significant operations in South Africa and Zimbabwe will play a crucial role in bringing Egyptian pharmaceuticals across multiple African markets.

Moreover, the Egyptian Drug Authority is steadily building its reputation as a renowned regulatory body responsible for high-quality pharmaceuticals, biologicals, and medical devices made in Egypt.

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