Egypt’s health minister announces expansion of local insulin manufacturing as part of a strategic plan to ensure medicine security, reduce imports, and support export ambitions, following the launch of the country’s first locally made insulin products.
Egypt’s health minister has said the government is expanding local insulin production as part of a wider plan to secure medicine supplies, build strategic stocks and reduce reliance on imports. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar said the priority was to make sure patients receive safe and effective treatment that meets medical standards, rather than remain tied to a particular brand. He added that locally registered products are subject to regulatory controls and are distributed through the national health insurance system and state-funded treatment schemes.
According to the Health Ministry, those schemes provide diabetes treatment for about 2.45 million adults and nearly 60,000 children, with annual spending on diabetes medicines, including insulin and tablets, reaching 4.2 billion Egyptian pounds. The minister said some patients’ preference for imported insulin does not necessarily mean there is a shortage of active ingredient or a lack of available treatment, but may instead reflect loyalty to a specific brand name.
The remarks build on Egypt’s push to localise pharmaceutical manufacturing, including the launch in December 2024 of the country’s first locally made insulin and the first locally produced long-acting insulin, insulin glargine. Reuters reported at the time that the move followed a partnership between Eva Pharma and Eli Lilly and was presented as a step towards self-sufficiency, with authorities also saying it could support exports to African markets. The Egyptian Drug Authority said sales of locally made doses had already trimmed the import bill, while state media noted that insulin production formed part of a broader industry that already supplies most of the medicines consumed domestically.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
