“This came after an exhausting search that lasted over a week," he added.

He was waiting among dozens of others to receive the medication from the government-affiliated pharmacy, having learned through the 16682 hotline that it was finally back in stock— a rarity in recent months, hinting that the crisis might be easing.

"Thankfully, I’m now waiting to get my medicine," he said with relief, despite the weariness appearing on his face from a gruelling 10-hour railway journey from Aswan in the country’s deep south to the capital Cairo in temperatures nearing 40°C.

In recent months, Egypt has experienced a severe drug shortage, leaving many citizens, particularly those with chronic conditions, struggling to find the medications they need. As a result, in August 2024, the Egyptian government pledged EGP 7 billion to address the shortage of medicine and medical supplies.

Head of the Pharmaceuticals Division at the Federation of Egyptian Chambers of Commerce, Ali Ouf, told Ahram Online that the government is making headway in addressing the drug shortage.

"The number of drug shortages in the local market has significantly decreased from nearly 1,000 types of medicines to about 500," Ouf said. However, he noted that supply problems persist for some imported medicines.

He stated that the "shortage of specific drugs is anticipated to conclude by mid-September," with the crisis being completely resolved by the end of the month, at which point the market will stabilize and all medications will be in stock.

Outside El-Esaaf Pharmacy, another citizen expressed his satisfaction with finding an alternative locally manufactured medicine to his prioritized imported infertility drug. "After a gruelling 10-day search, I finally found a local alternative to the imported infertility drug I desperately needed. It's a lifeline."

The Esaaf Pharmacies, part of The Egyptian Company for Drug Trade (EPTC), play a key role in supplying medications to a large number of people across various regions.

These pharmacies help by providing medications that are in short supply in the market, whether local or imported, and also offer drugs that improve patients' mental well-being, in partnership with the Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA).

Operating 24/7, Esaaf pharmacies serve around half a million patients each year, the EPTC stated in November.

A Change in Price

Ouf predicts an increase in the production cost of approximately 1,600 pharmaceutical products by the end of 2025.

The anticipated increase follows requests from pharmaceutical companies to the EDA, which regulates drug prices in the local market, for price adjustments due to soaring production costs, driven by a devaluation of the Egyptian pound against the dollar in March.

“The increase is expected to range from 10 to 30 percent for chronic disease medications and from 30 to 50 percent for other medicines”.

In light of the significant drop in the Egyptian pound exchange rate against the dollar in March, declining by 60 percent, the EDA was forced to raise drug prices because of the cost of imported raw materials.

In June, the EDA allowed a price hike of 20-25 percent for chronic disease medications and 50 percent for vitamins and supplements.

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly announced during a press conference in July that the government plans to adjust drug prices through a measured increase as part of a broader strategy to address the crisis.

For his part, Hossam Abdel Ghaffar, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Population, told Ahram Online on Monday "Price increases for certain medicines will never be random."

“The increase is currently under review by the Egyptian Drug Authority's pricing committee," he added.

Regarding the government's efforts to address the shortage of certain medicines, he highlighted that since last June, medicines have been consistently available in pharmacies, and factories have resumed production after receiving raw materials.

However, he noted that the production cycle can take three months or longer.

He said the long queues at pharmacies reflect the high demand while stressing the state's dedication to resolving the crisis completely as soon as possible.