"Al-Ghamrawy: Global Surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistance is a Pillar for Protecting Pharmaceutical Security and the Health of Future Generations"
Dr. Al-Ghamrawy, Chairman of the Egyptian Drug Authority, participated in the closing ceremony of the "Future Fighters against AMR" program, which the Authority organized in cooperation with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the ReAct Africa network, as part of the EDA's efforts to build the capacity of young professionals, enhance community awareness of antimicrobial resistance, and support the development of pharmaceutical services in Egypt.
The ceremony was attended by Dr. Ne'ma Saeed Abed, WHO Representative in Egypt, and Mr. Olin Hamatanga from ReAct Africa, along with EDA leadership.
During his speech, Dr. Al-Ghamrawy affirmed that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the most critical global health challenges and that confronting it requires comprehensive coordination at both local and international levels. He stressed the importance of rational use of antibiotics to protect future generations, noting that the EDA plays a pivotal role in this matter by joining the Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS-AMC).
According to Al-Ghamrawy, the program allows for the monitoring of national consumption patterns and their comparison with global indicators, which supports evidence-based decision-making, particularly concerning the regulation and monitoring of antibiotic dispensing at the national level, as part of efforts to enhance pharmaceutical security and improve pharmaceutical practices.
Al-Ghamrawy also highlighted the necessity of raising awareness about the dangers of AMR, explaining that the overuse of antibiotics will eventually lead to a loss of their effectiveness. This, he noted, would revert the world to the conditions of the early last century, before the discovery of antibiotics, where simple bacterial infections and mild illnesses could become a cause of death.
The EDA Chairman expressed his pride in the participating students, asserting that they are the "Future Fighters in the face of antimicrobial resistance." He praised their innovative projects and awareness content, which reflected scientific consciousness and creativity in delivering the message to the public.
He also thanked the World Health Organization and the ReAct Africa network for their support of the program, affirming the Authority's continued commitment to adopting initiatives aimed at raising community awareness and promoting the rational use of pharmaceutical products. The program included a series of specialized workshops and training sessions with the participation of experts from the EDA and WHO, providing a distinguished platform for students from 23 Egyptian universities to present their awareness ideas and projects.
It is worth noting that the training program activities began in August 2025, aiming to prepare a generation of pharmacy students who possess the necessary scientific, research, and practical skills to play an active role in spreading awareness about antimicrobials and pathogen resistance, and to consolidate the concepts of pharmaceutical security through innovative initiatives based on scientific knowledge and effective communication.
The event concluded with the honoring of the participating students and the winning teams in appreciation of their efforts in supporting the pharmaceutical care system and enhancing pharmaceutical security.
• The first-place winner was the team from Sphinx University, with the attendance of Prof. Dr. Alaa Arafat Hayallah, Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Dr. Marwa Abdel Moez Thabet, Supervisor of the Microbiology and Immunology Department and Academic Supervisor, and Dr. Rania Tawfik, Lecturer of Microbiology and Immunology and Academic Supervisor.
• The second-place winner was the team from The British University in Egypt, with the attendance of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Marwa Hamza, Head of the Clinical Pharmacy Department.
• A shared second-place winner was the team from New Giza University, with the attendance of Prof. Dr. Manal Maher, Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, and Dr. Shahira El-Banna, Lecturer of Microbiology and Immunology and Academic Supervisor.
• The third-place winner was the team from Delta University, with the attendance of Prof. Dr. Dalia Rashad, Vice Dean for Education and Student Affairs, and Dr. May El-Antarawy, Lecturer of Microbiology and Immunology and Academic Supervisor.
Attending the ceremony from the Egyptian Drug Authority were:
• Dr. Tamer Elhossieny, Vice Chairman of the Egyptian Drug Authority
• Dr. Rasha Ziada, Assistant Chairman for Professional Development and Capacity Building Affairs
• Dr. Yasin Ragaey, Assistant Chairman for Media Affairs and Investment Support, and Supervisor of the Central Administration for Pharmaceutical Care
• Dr. Mohamed El Khatib, Head of the Central Administration of the Chairman's Office
• Dr. Asmaa Fouad, Head of Central Administration of Biologicals, Innovative Products & Clinical Studies
• Dr. Myriam Boulis, Head of the Central Administration for Medical Supplies
• Dr. Wedyan Younis, Head of the Central Administration for Drug Control
• Dr. Osama Hatem, Associate to the EDA Chairman for Policy and International Cooperation and Supervisor of the Central Administration of Pharmaceutical Policies and Market Access
• Major General Yassin Amin, Head of the Central Administration for the General Secretariat
• Dr. Mohab Fady, Head of the Central Administration for Licensing
• Dr. Abeer El Beheiry, General Manager of the General Administration for Pharmaceutical Practices
• Dr. Shaimaa Nasr El Din, Manager of the Prudent Use Unit
• Dr. Kholoud El Naggar, Manager of the Drug Awareness Administration and the Organizing Team from the General Administration for Pharmaceutical and Pharmacy Practices.
From the World Health Organization (WHO) office in Egypt, attendees included:
• Dr. Mona Marouf, Pharmaceutical Products Officer
• Dr. Yara Khalaf, Antimicrobial Resistance Program Officer
• Dr. Heba Abou Bakr, Community Engagement Officer
• Dr. Samah Ali, Antimicrobial Resistance and Laboratories Specialist, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Egypt.
Also attending the honoring ceremony from the Faculties of Pharmacy at Egyptian universities were:
• Prof. Dr. Mohamed Abdullah Hamzawy, Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Fayoum University
• Prof. Dr. Khadija Ismail, Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Alamein University
• Prof. Dr. Azza Ahmed Mahmoud, Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Future University
• Prof. Dr. Moshira Ali Shokry, Vice Dean for Community Affairs and Environmental Development at the Faculty of Pharmacy, Chinese Egyptian University
• Prof. Dr. Mona Shaalan, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy for Postgraduate Studies, Misr International University.
The event reaffirms the Egyptian Drug Authority's commitment to providing a supportive regulatory environment for the development of the pharmaceutical industry, improving the quality of healthcare, and strengthening cooperation with local and international scientific institutions. This supports the realization of Egypt's Vision 2030 and contributes to building a safe, healthy future for the coming generations.