Egyptian Drug Authority denies shortage of medications in government hospital

CAIRO – 2 October 2020: The Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA) denied reports about a shortage in medicines in governmental hospitals, stressing the availability of all medical supplies at higher rates than the previous year.

The EDA also reassured citizens about the strategic stockpile of these medicines. It noted that authorities follow up on the availability of medications in government hospitals and pump additional quantities when required, in coordination with the Egyptian Authority for Unified Procurement and Medical Supplies.

The drug authority also stated that it is currently working through an early prediction strategy to spot drug deficiency. This is done by monitoring the stock of important and vital medicines such as insulin, medicines for hypertension, diabetes, tumors, Parkinson’s disease, as well as blood derivatives and drugs for treating coronavirus.

The strategy aims to cover the needs of local market, as well as government hospitals, in coordination with the Procurement Authority.

Early in September, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli checked on the availability of medications used in coronavirus treatment protocols during August.

The premier reiterated that he was following up with the authorities concerned efforts exerted to provide the medications required to treat coronavirus patients.

Madbouli’s health advisor Hossam el Masri handed over a report to the premier that includes the names and quantities of drugs that were provided by the Egyptian Drug Authority in August.

As many as 1,757,938 packages of azithromycin tablets and 72344 bottles of syrup were supplied of the same drug, 2,981,338 packages of paracetamol tablets, and 1,505,000 zinc tablet strips.

Masri asserted that local market's needs of coronavirus medicine are secured and there is no need for hoarding medicine.