The Egyptian medicine market is suffering from a shortage of medicines, including important medication for chronic diseases and mental illnesses, according to the Chairman of the Parliamentary Group of the Popular Party in the Senate, Ihab Wahba. The market is grappling with a critical shortage that extends to numerous treatments for both chronic and non-chronic conditions, such as those for diabetes and hypertension, staples in countless households. The most significant reason for the shortage, according to Wahba, is a lack of foreign currency to import raw materials for local production. Shipping delays, pricing, limited availability of alternatives, and the public’s hesitation to use substitutes—often due to concerns about the effectiveness of the active ingredients or a strong preference for following the doctor’s original prescription—have also worsened the problem. Ali Auf, head of the Pharmaceuticals Division at the Federation of Egyptian Chambers of Commerce, estimated in July that there are approximately 800 medications currently unavailable in the Egyptian market. While the first quarter of 2024, Egypt’s imports of pharmaceuticals and medicinal preparations fell by 6.9 percent, totaling USD 751.38 million (EGP 36.7 billion), a decrease of USD 56.22 million (EGP 2.7…
