By Juliet Umeh

To enhance healthcare and expand the African continent’s pharmaceutical market, Uganda and Egypt have pledged to collaborate.

The countries made the pledge at AfriSummit 2024 held from November 3 to 6 in Cairo.
The summit witnessed a strategic dialogue between the Ugandan delegation, led by the country’s Ambassador and senior officials from the Ministry of Health, and Dr. Hisham Stait, Vice Chairman of Egypt’s Unified Procurement Authority (UPA). Representatives from the Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA) also participated.

The discussions centered on forging partnerships to ensure access to safe, high-quality medicines while fostering sustainable development in Africa’s pharmaceutical industry. Uganda lauded Egypt’s advanced pharmaceutical infrastructure, regulatory standards, and expertise, expressing interest in adopting similar models to bolster its own healthcare system.

Dr. Stait emphasized Egypt’s commitment to supporting Uganda’s pharmaceutical sector, highlighting plans to share expertise and resources.

“We are ready to contribute to improving healthcare services in Uganda and beyond. This collaboration strengthens the ties between our nations and underscores our dedication to a unified and prosperous African healthcare system,” Stait stated.

As a key outcome, both nations agreed to draft a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Egyptian Drug Authority and the Ugandan Ministry of Health. The MoU aims to streamline the approval of Egyptian medicines in Uganda and facilitate broader market access across Africa.

The meeting was a centerpiece of AfriSummit 2024, which brought together ambassadors, ministers, diplomats, and over 300 healthcare professionals, along with 80 experts in regulatory, legal, and pharmaceutical manufacturing fields.

The summit resulted in multiple bilateral and multilateral agreements, addressing Africa’s pressing regulatory challenges and paving the way for future opportunities in pharmaceutical manufacturing, distribution, and healthcare development.

AfriSummit 2024 reaffirmed its role as a vital platform for fostering collaboration, strengthening Africa’s healthcare systems, and driving sustainable growth in the pharmaceutical sector.