Story by Abigirl Tembo, Health Editor
ZIMBABWE has been charmed by Egypt‘s pharmaceutical model, with plans in motion to replicate the idea in Zimbabwe as the country moves to ensure citizens have access to safe, affordable and effective medication.
After recent agreements signed between Zimbabwe and Egypt in the pharmaceutical field, the Zimbabwean delegation which is in Egypt for the Africa Health Excon took the opportunity to visit Gypto Pharma, one of the largest medicine producing firms in the Middle East.
The company, which covers an area of 180 000square meters, is equipped with the latest technologies and global systems in pharmaceutical production.
Vice President General Retired Dr Constantino Chiwenga, who is also the Minister of Health and Child Care was impressed by the work being done by the pharmaceutical giant.
“This is a perfect institution which shows a lot of innovation from the Arab Republic of Egypt’s Government to have this up and going. From 2021, they now have close to 15 lines production of various drugs and vaccines which are not required by Zimbabwe only but by the entire Africa.
“We have seen that what Gypto Pharma has done with major pharmaceutical companies all over the world is quite impressive and we want to jumpstart and have this programme which we have signed an MOU with Gypto Pharma as Intra Pharma.We want this to come into Zimbabwe as quickly as we can, but in the meantime we have already finalised the issue to have the first shipment of drugs come to Zimbabwe,” he said.
Gypto Pharma Chief Executive Officer and Chairman Mr Amr Mamdouh said their vision resonates well with that of ensuring Zimbabwean citizens have access to safe and affordable medicines.
“Our vision is for both Zimbabwean and Egyptian patients to be free of disease so we would like to work together on how to bring this medicine to Zimbabwe as step number 1 and second is how to establish hubs of manufacturing and centre of excellence in Zimbabwe not only for Zimbabwe, but for the southern Africa region as well,” said Mamdouh.
Under a MOU signed with IntraPharma Group in 2021, the parent company of Gypto pharma, the international pharmaceutical giant is expected to set up a production plant and distribution base in Victoria Falls.
