Egyptian Ministry of Health refuses to import insulin: a waste of currency

The Minister of Health emphasized that generic drugs produced in Egypt have the same chemical composition and therapeutic effectiveness as the original drugs, differing only in the trade name.

According to him, there are four companies producing insulin in Egypt, and the raw materials for its production are purchased from the world’s leading manufacturers and are also used in the production of imported drugs.

The Minister of Health claims that insulin production in Egypt not only fully covers domestic demand, but also exceeds it. “Our insulin production exceeds market needs. But citizens want an imported drug. No, we will not buy it. Whoever wants imported insulin should buy it at their own expense,” the minister said.

He also noted that drug prices in Egypt are regulated by the state. Pharmacies are prohibited from independently increasing the cost of drugs: violation is subject to closure of the pharmacy and revocation of the license. According to the minister, price revisions are carried out only occasionally according to a special formula that takes into account the exchange rate of the national currency, interest rates and inflation rates in order to ensure continuous production of medicines.