Ministry Unveils First National Essential Drug Catalog
The Ministry of Pharmaceutical Industry, led by Ouacim Kouidri, announced the adoption of Algeria's first national list of essential medicines on October 20. This pivotal reference document is designed to guide local production and secure the availability of priority treatments nationwide. It also aims to define national priorities for the sustainable supply of essential medicines, bolster domestic production capabilities, and direct investments toward strategically important health-related drugs, including those slated for export. The list aligns with the national production and import program, ensuring it addresses the real therapeutic needs of the Algerian population, with selections informed by the country's most prevalent pathologies, a concept inspired by the World Health Organization's model.
The comprehensive list was developed by a specialized committee of experts following a meticulous evaluation of treatments based on scientific and technical criteria, accounting for the evolution of diseases within Algeria. This multi-sectoral committee included representatives from various key ministries, such as National Defense, Higher Education and Scientific Research, Health, and Labor, Employment and Social Security. Furthermore, several specialized organizations, including the National Health Security Agency, the National Pharmaceutical Products Agency, the Central Hospital Pharmacy, the Pasteur Institute of Algeria, and the National Pharmacovigilance and Materiovigilance Center, contributed to its formation, alongside experts from professional medical, pharmaceutical, and dental surgery orders. This collaborative approach underscores the list's role as a cornerstone of pharmaceutical sovereignty for the nation.
The adoption of this national list arrives as Algeria intensifies its ambitions in the international pharmaceutical sector. The country, home to nearly 30% of Africa's pharmaceutical factories, saw its pharmaceutical and medical device exports reach almost $52 million in 2025, distributed across 33 countries, with 18 in Africa. Minister Kouidri has indicated a strong focus on expanding into external markets, with "Made in Algeria" medicines already reaching nations like Côte d'Ivoire. Public group Saidal actively exports to over ten African countries and is preparing new projects for high-demand medications, including anti-cancer drugs, with a paracetamol raw material plant in Batna expected to commence production within nine months. This national list is thus critical in balancing the availability of treatments for the domestic market with the strategic development of export opportunities, reinforcing Algeria's self-sufficiency and regional influence.
