The Egyptian Drug Authority and its branches in the governorates, in coordination with various regulatory and security authorities, intensified efforts of extensive inspection campaigns during last March on pharmacy establishments throughout the Arab Republic of Egypt. The inspections included visiting over 9400 pharmacy establishments including public and private pharmacies in hospitals, drug stores, and distribution companies. Violations varied from seizing smuggled and unregistered drugs with the Egyptian Drug Authority, absence of the responsible pharmacist manager or their substitute, practicing without a license, and operating in unlicensed places. Among the highlights was the successful seizure by inspectors of the Egyptian Drug Authority of several unlicensed locations based on information received and in coordination with security agencies. Following the regulatory procedures, over 290 intensive inspection campaigns were carried out nationwide, and all legal measures were taken. The estimated value of confiscated items exceeded 90 million Egyptian pounds. During the campaigns, individuals present at pharmacy establishments were informed and made aware of the publications issued by the Egyptian Drug Authority regarding recalls and seizures. These publications are regularly updated on the official website of the authority, and all legal actions are taken against pharmacy establishments in case of missing purchase invoices for these products, as well as against the supplying entities if such invoices exist. The Egyptian Drug Authority urges all pharmacists and citizens to communicate with them through various means of communication in case of violations related to drug trading, via the hotline 15301, the official website of the authority, which outlines the search mechanism to verify the registration of pharmaceutical products with the Egyptian Drug Authority. The Egyptian Drug Authority continues its continuous monitoring of the Egyptian drug market, parallel to the work of regulatory and inspection campaigns and the withdrawal of additional samples of drugs available in the markets for analysis at the laboratories of the Egyptian Drug Authority, to ensure their compliance with specifications. This comes within the framework of the efforts of the Egyptian Drug Authority to control the drug market, and to maintain the quality, effectiveness, and safety of pharmaceutical products and medical supplies circulated in pharmacy establishments, as well as monitoring manufacturing and storage locations, and combating electronic crimes.
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