Friday 18 Oct
A meeting was held between Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health and Population and a delegation from Novartis Egypt Pharmaceutical Industries to discuss ways to enhance cooperation in developing the pharmaceutical industry and to attract more investments both domestically and internationally.
He initiated the discussion by
warmly welcoming the Novartis representatives, particularly Dr. Jihan El-Mor,
the newly appointed chairperson of the board of directors. He extended his
congratulations on her new role and expressed his best wishes for her continued
success. He also acknowledged the delegation's valuable contributions and
ongoing cooperation in various health-related endeavours, emphasizing
Novartis's position as a global leader in pharmaceutical development and
production.
Dr. Hossam Abdel Ghaffar, the
official spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Population, announced that
the meeting discussed plans to expand local pharmaceutical manufacturing and
attract domestic and foreign investment in the sector. This aligns with Egypt's
goal of self-sufficiency in pharmaceutical production.
He emphasized Egypt's technical
expertise and skilled workforce, which position it as a prime location for
pharmaceutical manufacturing and exports to Africa, East Asia, and Europe. He
also noted the government's commitment to developing a comprehensive strategy
to optimize drug consumption and promote proper medication usage.
During the meeting, the minister
emphasized Egypt's forward-thinking vision for the medical industries across
various sectors. The Ministry of Health reaffirmed its commitment to providing
unwavering support for the continued production of pharmaceuticals.
Additionally, the state reiterated its dedication to stringent monitoring of
all pharmaceutical outlets to ensure the stability of the drug market.
The meeting was attended by Dr. Ahmed Saafan, Assistant Minister of Health and Population for Hospital Affairs, and representatives from Novartis: Dr. Eslam Anwar, Director of Factories, Dr. Omar Nasr, Head of Public Relations, and Dr. Mohamed Sabry El-Sherbiny, Head of Market Support and Drug Supply.
