Monday 03/November/2025 – 10:42 PM
Dr. Ali Aouf, Head of the Pharmaceuticals Division at the Federation of Chambers of Commerce, revealed a dilemma facing the Egyptian pharmaceutical market related to oncology medicines, as he confirmed that the sector still depends on importing 90% of these medicines, despite the presidential efforts that were launched in 2014 to localize imported medicines in Egypt.
Manufacture of some oncology drugs
Aouf explained, during television statements, that there are actual steps that have already begun in this direction, pointing to the announcement of the Pharmaceutical City in 2024 in cooperation with one of the major international companies to localize the manufacture of the latest oncology drugs in Egypt, in addition to the start of major national factories in manufacturing some oncology drugs.
Auf stressed that continuing to rely heavily on imports means that major foreign companies have higher costs, and impose this. Either the price will be moved or they will not provide us with the medicine, stressing the necessity of continuing to rely on these companies until we reach the stage of self-sufficiency, adding: Oncology medicine is not a luxury.
Regarding pricing discussions, the head of the Pharmaceuticals Division indicated that the last movement in drug prices was in September 2024, and pricing at that time was based on 50 pounds to the dollar. When Al-Hadidi asked why there was a demand to move prices now with the exchange rate stable at 47 pounds to the dollar, Auf explained that the problem lies in the emergence of new operational burdens, including the rise in energy prices, the application of the minimum wage, and most importantly the increase in the fees for the Medicines Authority’s services, which are ultimately added to the cost of the medicine, and thus borne by the patient.
Dr. Ali Aouf presented the solution to avoid any new increases, stressing: If the fees for the Medicines Authority’s services are reduced, we will no longer need to move prices. He gave an example of the increase in drug registration fees from one thousand pounds to five thousand pounds currently, stressing: If the fees returned to their old level, we would not need to move prices, especially since the dollar now has a value of 47 pounds, and then if the Drug Authority reduced the fees, we would not need any new increases.
