The Egyptian pharmaceutical market has been facing serious problems as a result of the hike in the dollar rate versus the Egyptian pound. This has brought about higher expenses in the manufacturing of local medications and greater loses of domestic producers.
Sources in the Egyptian pharmaceutical industry have warned against unplanned prices increase in imported medicines, and called for an urgent meeting of state manufacturers in order to come up with a united decision regarding this problem.
At the same time The Medical Holding Company has been examining the matter from its strategically aspect. According to local press reports, there is a serious dispute between Egyptian and international companies. Both parties have already threatened to press charges against each other. The foreign companies are trying to enforce local manufacturers to register newly introduced drugs now rather than wait until the end of 2003 as promised to them (by TRIPS agreement).
Domestic companies have recently contacted President Husni Mubarak complaining that they were compelled to deal with administrative issues rather than concentrate on the real issues concerning the pharmaceutical market. They warned that unless something is done to stop these developments, they would have to raise the cost of medicine.— (Mena Report)
© 2001 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
