Egypt and African Union agency plan push on local medicines
The two agreed in Berlin to draw up a long-term plan to make more drugs and vaccines in Africa. No projects or funding have been announced.
Berlin — Egypt and the African Union's development agency have agreed to draw up a long-term plan to expand the manufacture of medicines, vaccines and medical technology in Africa, Daily News Egypt reports.
Egypt's health minister, Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, met the chief executive of AUDA-NEPAD, Nardos Bekele-Thomas, on the sidelines of the World Health Summit in Berlin, according to the Egyptian health ministry.
What the plan would cover
The framework is meant to identify priority projects and how they will be financed and carried out. Its scope would include:
- local production of essential medicines and vaccines;
- training and the capacity of medicines regulators;
- disease surveillance, laboratories and preparing for pandemics;
- supply chains that leave Africa less dependent on imports.
The two sides also agreed to look for joint projects that African lenders and international partners could fund.
What Egypt brings
Egypt said it was ready to put its pharmaceutical industry, its regulatory experience and its health expertise at the service of other African health systems.
What is missing
The ministry announced no specific projects, no money and no timetable.
This report is based on reporting by Daily News Egypt.
