The Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA) announced the successful conclusion of the third edition of the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Conference, held in Cairo under the theme, “Impurities in Drug Products and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients.” The event was attended by Dr. Tamer El-Hosseiny, Vice President of the Egyptian Drug Authority and Chairman of the Permanent Committee of the Egyptian Pharmacopoeia, alongside a distinguished group of international experts, representatives of regulatory authorities, and pharmaceutical industry partners from around the world.
Dr. Ali El-Ghamrawy, Chairman of the Egyptian Drug Authority, delivered the opening address of the conference, welcoming participants and underscoring the importance of the strategic partnership between the Authority and the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) in supporting efforts to strengthen regulatory systems and ensure the quality and safety of medicines. He emphasized that this collaboration represents a leading model for international regulatory convergence aimed at advancing public health.
Dr. El-Ghamrawy noted that hosting the conference in Cairo reflects the growing confidence in Egypt’s regulatory role at both the regional and international levels. He stressed that the Authority’s achievement of World Health Organization (WHO) Maturity Level 3 recognition for both medicines and vaccines constitutes a significant milestone that further reinforces Egypt’s position as a regional hub for pharmaceutical manufacturing and regulation. He also highlighted the importance of the conference in enhancing regulatory capacities and building robust oversight systems that ensure patient access to safe and effective medicines, expressing his appreciation to the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) for its continued support and collaboration.
With regard to the Egyptian Pharmacopoeia, Dr. El-Ghamrawy stated that Egypt has made steady progress toward achieving global regulatory excellence. In pursuit of this objective, the fifth edition of the Egyptian Pharmacopoeia has been issued in a more comprehensive form, representing a major step toward harmonization with international pharmaceutical standards and elevating Egypt to the ranks of leading reference countries worldwide.
He further emphasized that the Egyptian Pharmacopoeia serves as a vital bridge to excellence and global integration. The fifth edition is expected to encompass all pharmaceutical products available on the Egyptian market, mirroring the scope of leading international pharmacopoeias. Beyond strengthening national healthcare, this development integrates Egypt into the global pharmaceutical dialogue and supports international trade and innovation.
Moreover, the Egyptian Pharmacopoeia represents a significant milestone in digital transformation. The targeted content has already been made available through the Egyptian Pharmacopoeia’s digital platforms in accordance with a roadmap launched in June 2024. This transformation enhances accessibility for pharmaceutical professionals, companies, and regulatory authorities, facilitating compliance with regulatory requirements and enabling timely updates within a dynamic framework.
The conference also featured active participation from senior officials and experts of the Egyptian Drug Authority in the technical sessions. Dr. Rania El-Hossary, General Manager of the General Administration of Stability, delivered a presentation on the Authority’s approach to impurity assessment in stability studies, highlighting key challenges and accepted qualification pathways.