Today, the Egyptian Drug Authority signed a cooperation protocol with the Egyptian Patent Office. The protocol was signed by Dr. Rasha Ziyada, Egyptian Drug Authority Chairman's Assistant for Technical Development and Capability Building Affairs, and Dr. Mona Yahya, Director of the Egyptian Patent Office, on behalf of the Egyptian Patent Office.
The signing ceremony was attended by Shadi El-Wakil, Councilor and Deputy Chairman of the State Council and Legal Advisor to the Egyptian Drug Authority, Dr. Ahmed Abdel-Salam, Professor of Pharmacology at Ain Shams University and a member of the Intellectual Property Advisory Committee of the Egyptian Drug Authority, and Dr. Asmaa Fouad, Head of Central Administration of Biologicals, Innovative Products & Clinical Studies. On behalf of the Egyptian Patent Office, Dr. Rasha Gamal, Technical Examiner at the Patent Office, was present.
The protocol contributes to enhancing the protection of intellectual property rights on one hand; and encourages scientific research and development by encouraging companies to work on products that have entered the public domain and are not subject to protection on the other hand. Additionally, it aims to develop the capabilities of the staff working in the Egyptian Drug Authority in the field of reviewing pharmaceutical product files and enhancing their capabilities in the field of intellectual property rights. The protocol also includes the Egyptian Drug Authority sharing relevant databases of pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, and biologics with the Egyptian Patent Office. It also directs those who apply for pharmaceutical products, medical supplies, and biologics registration to the Patent Office to be updated with the patent registration system and inquire about registered patents and those that have entered the public domain. The protocol also stipulates the participation of the Egyptian Drug Authority in any awareness campaigns related to intellectual property rights in its field of work, organized by the Patent Office, to provide educational content according to the campaign's requirements or the Egyptian Drug Authority's specific awareness plans. Moreover, the Egyptian Patent Office will provide patent information research services for pharmaceutical products, biologics, and medical supplies specified by the Egyptian Drug Authority. It will also organize awareness seminars, workshops, and training programs on patents in the pharmaceutical field, research, development, and drug industry. A joint committee from the Egyptian Drug Authority and the Egyptian Patent Office will be formed to manage the protocol.
These efforts of the Egyptian Drug Authority aim to strengthen intellectual property rights, encourage innovation, and facilitate obtaining patents in the fields of pharmaceutical products, biologics, and medical supplies.
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