Egyptian-Sierra Leonean cooperation to exchange technical expertise in the health and pharmaceutical fields

Written by Omnia Hassan

Dr. Ali Al-Ghamrawi, Chairman of the Egyptian Drug Authority, signed a memorandum of understanding with Dr. James Peter Komeh, Chairman of the Pharmacy Council of Sierra Leone, in the presence of Ambassador Sadiq Sillah, Ambassador of Sierra Leone to the Arab Republic of Egypt, to enhance joint cooperation in regulatory and pharmaceutical fields, and to exchange technical expertise and best regulatory practices, in order to support the development of pharmaceutical regulatory systems and enhance the quality of health services in both countries.

We are keen to expand strategic partnerships with African regulatory bodies.

Dr. Ali Al-Ghamrawi confirmed that the signing of the memorandum of understanding comes within the framework of the Egyptian Drug Authority’s strategy aimed at expanding its network of strategic partnerships with African regulatory bodies, and enhancing integration and coordination between regulatory institutions on the continent, which contributes to unifying regulatory visions, exchanging technical expertise and building capacities, and supports achieving drug security and improving the availability of safe, effective and high-quality medical products for the people of the African continent.

Sierra Leone's Ambassador to Cairo: We appreciate the leading role played by the Egyptian Drug Authority in transferring expertise.

For his part, Ambassador Sadiq Silla expressed his appreciation for the leading role played by the Egyptian Drug Authority at the African level, stressing his country’s aspiration for a greater Egyptian presence in the local market.

Leveraging Egyptian organizational expertise and strengthening joint cooperation in capacity building

Dr. James Peter Komeh, President of the Pharmacy Council of Sierra Leone, also expressed the need to strengthen joint cooperation and benefit from advanced Egyptian expertise in the fields of drug regulation and control, training and capacity building, in order to contribute to the development of the pharmaceutical system and support public health.

Areas of cooperation include the exchange of technical and organizational expertise in the fields of medical product registration, drug inspection and control, and pharmacovigilance, in addition to supporting training programs, capacity building, and the development of personnel working in the pharmaceutical sector, thereby enhancing the efficiency of regulatory systems and consolidating the principles of quality and institutional excellence.

The memorandum also aims to enhance cooperation in areas of common interest, contributing to the development of the pharmaceutical system and achieving greater integration among African regulatory bodies, and promoting interdependence and regulatory trust among regulatory institutions on the continent.

The signing of the memorandum of understanding comes as an extension of the ongoing efforts of the Egyptian Drug Authority to consolidate Egypt’s position as a leading regional center in the field of drug regulation, and a reliable partner in supporting the building of strong and sustainable regulatory systems, which contributes to enhancing drug security and achieving sustainable health development at the level of the African continent.