EHA & EDA Discuss Pharmacy Management
Chairman of the Healthcare Authority Meets with Chairman of the Egyptian Drug Authority to Review Joint Work Files and Discuss Private Sector Participation in Managing the Authority's Outpatient Pharmacies
Chairman of the Healthcare Authority: Over 3,000 Pharmaceutical Products Dispensed Across the Authority’s Facilities, Averaging 41.5 Million Packs Monthly in the First Phase Governorates of the Universal Health Insurance System
Chairman of the Egyptian Drug Authority: We Collaborate with All Healthcare Service Providers to Ensure Safe and Equitable Access to Medication for Every Patient
Chairman of the Healthcare Authority: Annual Spending on Pharmaceuticals Exceeds EGP 4 Billion and Will Increase Gradually with the Expansion of Universal Health Insurance
Chairman of the Egyptian Drug Authority: We Have Achieved Significant Success with the Healthcare Authority in Pharmacovigilance, Rational Use of Antibiotics, and Pharmaceutical Economics Research, and We Aim to Broaden Our Collaboration
Chairman of the Healthcare Authority: Engaging the Private Sector in Managing Outpatient Pharmacies Will Yield Multiple Benefits, Including Improved Patient Experience, Increased Market Share for Private and Community Pharmacies, Stimulated Investment in the Pharmacy Sector, and Enhanced Sustainability
Chairman of the Healthcare Authority: The Project Will Save the Authority Over EGP 1 Billion Annually in Operational and Administrative Costs, Allowing for More Strategic Deployment of Pharmaceutical Professionals and Growth in the Authority’s Revenue Streams
Chairman of the Egyptian Drug Authority: The Next Phase Will See Expanded Collaboration with the Healthcare Authority in Green Pharmacies, Medication Awareness Initiatives, Electronic Database Integration, Pricing and Registration Systems, and Feasibility Studies for Localizing Pharmaceutical and Medical Supply Industries Based on Actual Market Needs
Chairman of the Healthcare Authority: Achieving Sustainable Development Requires Cross-Sector Collaboration, and We Aim to Launch a Unified Digital Platform to Integrate All Health Authorities and Enhance Operational Efficiency
Dr. Ahmed El-Sobky, Chairman of the Healthcare Authority and General Supervisor of the Universal Health Insurance Project, met with Dr. Ali El-Ghamrawy, Chairman of the Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA), to review several joint work files and explore ways to enhance collaboration, particularly in engaging the private sector in managing and operating the Healthcare Authority’s outpatient pharmacies. The initiative aims to improve patient services and ensure the sustainability of the healthcare system.
Enhancing Pharmaceutical Accessibility and Efficiency
Dr. Ahmed El-Sobky emphasized that the Healthcare Authority dispenses over 3,000 pharmaceutical products across its facilities in the first-phase governorates of the Universal Health Insurance System, with an average monthly distribution of 41.5 million medication packs. This ensures consistent availability of essential medicines for all patients, while maintaining the highest standards of safety and quality in healthcare services.
He also highlighted that annual pharmaceutical expenditure within the Healthcare Authority has surpassed EGP 4 billion, a figure that is expected to increase with the system’s expansion into new governorates. This necessitates optimized resource allocation and strategic planning to ensure affordable, high-quality healthcare for all.
Advancing Pharmacovigilance and Drug Monitoring
Dr. El-Sobky noted that the Healthcare Authority has successfully collaborated with the Egyptian Drug Authority in multiple areas, particularly in:
- Implementing pharmacovigilance programs
- Becoming the first healthcare institution to integrate with the national drug tracking and surveillance system
- Enhancing medication safety through robust pricing and regulatory updates
He reaffirmed the commitment to further strengthening this integration, particularly in medication pricing updates and regulatory advancements.
Private Sector Engagement in Pharmacy Operations
The Healthcare Authority’s plan to involve the private sector in the management and operation of outpatient pharmacies is expected to bring multiple benefits, including:
- Improved patient experience through enhanced pharmaceutical services
- Increased market share for private and community pharmacies
- Encouraged investment in the pharmacy sector
- Enhanced financial sustainability of the healthcare system
Dr. El-Sobky emphasized that this initiative would generate over EGP 1 billion in annual savings for the Authority by reducing operational and administrative costs. Furthermore, pharmacists within the Authority will be able to focus on more specialized roles in clinical pharmacy and pharmaceutical consultations, thereby enhancing service quality.
Expanding Collaboration in Pharmaceutical Innovations
Dr. Ali El-Ghamrawy, Chairman of the Egyptian Drug Authority, reaffirmed EDA’s commitment to working with all healthcare providers to ensure safe and equitable access to medicines for all patients.
He acknowledged past successes in collaboration with the Healthcare Authority, particularly in:
- Pharmacovigilance programs
- Rational use of antibiotics
- Pharmaceutical economics research
He further announced plans for expanded cooperation in:
- Green pharmacy initiatives
- Patient medication awareness programs
- Integrating electronic drug databases with pricing and registration systems
- Conducting feasibility studies on localizing pharmaceutical and medical supply industries
Driving Digital Transformation and Sustainability
Dr. El-Sobky reiterated that achieving sustainable development in healthcare requires collaboration among all health authorities. As part of this vision, the Healthcare Authority aims to launch a unified digital platform to integrate all health entities, enhance digital connectivity, and improve operational efficiency.
Meeting Participants
The meeting was attended by:
From the Healthcare Authority:
- Dr. Hany Rashid – Vice Chairman of the Healthcare Authority
- Dr. Amir El-Telwany – Executive Director of the Healthcare Authority
- Dr. Sherif Kamal – Pharmaceutical Affairs & Drug Management Advisor to the Chairman
- Dr. Moamen El-Ashmawy – Strategic Projects Follow-up Advisor
- Dr. Amr Abdel-Nabi – Partnerships & Business Development Advisor
- Eng. Sherif Belal – Assistant Executive Director for Engineering Affairs & Project Management
- Dr. Mahmoud El-Deeb – Director of Strategic Administration
- Dr. Mostafa Shaaban – Head of the Central Administration for Healthcare Services
- Dr. Ahmed El-Barai – Assistant Executive Director for Technical Affairs & Follow-up
- Dr. Mohamed Sami – Assistant Executive Director for Operations & Resource Development
- Dr. Mohanad Atef – Director of Research & Studies
From the Egyptian Drug Authority:
- Dr. Amira Mahgoub – Head of the Central Operations Administration
This meeting marks a significant milestone in advancing Egypt’s pharmaceutical landscape, fostering greater collaboration between the public and private sectors, and driving sustainable growth within the healthcare system.
