EGYPT DELAYING JORDANIAN DRUG APPROVAL DESPITE BILATERAL ACCORD

The president of Jordan's Association of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers, Hanan Sboul, has criticised the apparent slowness of Egyptian authorities in registering Jordanian-produced drugs. The alleged delays come despite an agreement between the two countries to approve 65 drugs for the Egyptian market; Jordanian drug bodies claim no such medicines have yet been approved by local authorities.

Talks between various Jordanian drug companies and the Egyptian health ministry regarding their efforts to enter the Egyptian market continued in the second half of 2004. Nevertheless, local Jordanian companies have long voiced concern over obstacles preventing the registration of Jordanian drugs in Egypt. The country is a key regional market and short-term penetration would bolster an already vibrant export trade. Pricing could remain key to progress, as the Egyptian government remains keen to contain its drugs bill as much as possible.