What Egyptian Pharmaceutical Trading Company does

Egyptian Pharmaceutical Trading Company (EPTC, also known as Almasrya) is Egypt's first and longest-established pharmaceutical trading and distribution company, founded in 1965 as part of government efforts to strengthen the national health system. Headquartered in Cairo and operating under the holding umbrella of Egyptian Medical Investments Company (ECMI), EPTC distributes locally manufactured and imported medicines, medical supplies, and controlled substances to government hospitals, private pharmacies, health insurance clinics, armed forces, police, educational hospitals, and retail consumers across all 27 Egyptian governorates. The company holds statutory monopolies that make it the only entity authorized to trade psychotropic and narcotic medicines in Egypt and to import unregistered/unpriced medicines with no local alternatives, including oncology and biotechnology products.

EPTC's operations run through three integrated channels: (1) 48 sales branches distributing to private pharmacies, (2) 4 hospital supply centers covering Cairo, Alexandria, Assiut, and Mansoura with ~20,000 square meters of GSP-compliant and temperature-controlled storage, and (3) 78 owned Esaaf 24 retail pharmacies including 24/7 emergency outlets serving approximately 500,000 patients annually with rare medicines, insulin, oncology drugs, infant formula, and therapeutic milk. The technology stack centers on a company-wide ERP system across branches and pharmacies plus a national drug tracking system (inaugurated March 2026 with the Egyptian Drug Authority) that uses unique serial numbers per package to trace Schedule I controlled substances from production to patient delivery. Strategic stockpiling of infant formula, therapeutic milk, and insulin positions EPTC as a critical safety valve in Egypt's pharmaceutical supply chain.

EPTC generates transaction-based revenue across multiple streams: pharmaceutical distribution to private pharmacies, hospital supply to MoH/tender customers, import of unregistered oncology and biotech medicines, controlled-substance trading (statutory monopoly), retail pharmacy operations, and managed strategic stockpiling services. The company is certified to ISO9001, GDP, and GSP standards, partners with major global manufacturers including Pfizer, Novartis, Johnson & Johnson, AstraZeneca, GSK, AbbVie, Amgen, Bayer, Novo Nordisk, Boehringer Ingelheim, Servier, and leading Egyptian producers (Pharco, EIPICO, Amoun, Orchidia, Rameda), and coordinates directly with the Egyptian Drug Authority and the Unified Procurement Authority. Its long-term horizon is reflected in the new headquarters under construction in Egypt's New Administrative Capital.

Name

Egyptian Pharmaceutical Trading Company

Legal name

الشركة المصرية لتجارة الأدوية

Website

https://eptc-egydrug.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1965

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Egyptian Pharmaceutical Trading Company (founded 1965) is the country's first and statutory distributor of pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, and controlled substances, serving government hospitals, private pharmacies, armed forces, and retail consumers across all 27 Egyptian governorates via 48 sales branches, 4 hospital supply centers, and 78 Esaaf 24 pharmacies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pharmaceutical Distribution

NAICS

Drugs and Druggists' Sundries Merchant Wholesalers (42421), Pharmacies and Drug Retailers (456110)

SIC

Wholesale-Drugs, Proprietaries & Druggists' Sundries (5122), Retail-Drug Stores And Proprietary Stores (5912)

akta.pro primary industry

Medical Supplies & Consumables Wholesale (Non-Device) (CRAOAHAE)

Keywords

• Pharmaceutical distribution
• Medical supply logistics
• Hospital pharmaceutical supply
• Retail pharmacy services
• Drug importation services

Headquarters

HQ city

Cairo

HQ country

Egypt

HQ region

Africa

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Pharmaceutical Distribution: Distribution of locally manufactured and imported medicines to private pharmacies, hospitals, and health facilities across all 27 Egyptian governorates through 48 sales branches.
2. Hospital Supply: Supply of medicines and medical supplies to Ministry of Health hospitals, health insurance clinics, health directorates, specialized medical centers, educational hospitals, armed forces, police, and private/investment hospitals through 4 hospital supply centers with ~20,000 sqm total storage.
3. Import of Unregistered/Unpriced Medicines: Authorized import and distribution of unregistered, unpriced, and imported medicines that have no local alternatives, including oncology and biotechnology medicines.
4. Controlled Substances Trade: Only company authorized to buy and sell psychotropic and narcotic medicines in Egypt.
5. Retail Pharmacy Operations: Operation of 78 Esaaf 24 pharmacies including 5 24/7 pharmacies covering 4 governorates, providing rare medicines, therapeutic milk, insulin, and cancer medications. Serves approximately 500,000 patients annually.
6. Strategic Stockpiling Services: Strategic stock maintenance for infant formula, therapeutic milk of all types, and insulin to ensure availability and prevent monopolization. Served as a safety valve for Egyptian citizens.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

EPTC distributes locally manufactured and imported pharmaceuticals and medical supplies to private pharmacies, hospitals, and government health facilities across all 27 Egyptian governorates through 48 sales branches, 4 hospital supply centers, and 78 retail pharmacies. The company is the sole authorized importer of unregistered medicines with no local alternatives and the only entity permitted to trade psychotropic and narcotic medicines in Egypt. It also operates the Esaaf 24 emergency pharmacy chain providing rare medicines, therapeutic milk, insulin, and oncology drugs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Esaaf 24: 24/7 emergency pharmacy chain operated by the company, covering multiple Egyptian governorates with a focus on rare medicines, infant formula, therapeutic milk, insulin, and cancer medications.

Products and services

• Pharmaceutical Distribution Service Distribution of locally manufactured and imported pharmaceutical products to private pharmacies across all 27 Egyptian governorates through 48 sales branches, supported by call centers and an ERP-integrated order system.
• Hospital Supply Service Dedicated supply of medicines and medical supplies to Ministry of Health hospitals, health insurance clinics, health directorates, armed forces, police, private and investment hospitals, and specialized medical centers through 4 hospital supply centers covering Cairo, Alexandria, Assiut, and Mansoura regions with approximately 20,000 sqm of GSP-compliant storage.
• Esaaf 24 Retail Pharmacy Chain Retail pharmacy chain of 78 pharmacies under the Esaaf 24 brand, including 5 operating 24/7, providing rare medicines, infant formula, therapeutic milk, insulin, cancer medications, and narcotic drugs to walk-in consumers across multiple Egyptian governorates; serves approximately 500,000 patients annually.
• Controlled Substances Trade Exclusive authorization to buy and sell psychotropic and narcotic medicines in Egypt, including imported Schedule I controlled substances, making EPTC the only company in Egypt authorized for this trade.
• Import of Unregistered and Unpriced Medicines Sole national authorization to import medicines that have no local alternatives, including oncology and biotechnology medicines, to meet unmet demand in the Egyptian market.
• Strategic Stockpiling Services Strategic stock maintenance for infant formula, therapeutic milk, and insulin to ensure availability, prevent monopolization, and act as a safety valve for the Egyptian healthcare system.
• National Drug Tracking System (Phase 1) Digital pharmaceutical tracking system using unique serial numbers on each medicine package to monitor product flow from production to patient delivery, initially deployed for imported Schedule I controlled substances to enhance supply chain transparency and regulatory oversight.

Quantifiable outcome

• ~500,000 patient visits to Esaaf pharmacies annually
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 March 2026EDA Chairman Dr. Ali El-Ghamrawy inaugurated the first phase of the drug tracking system at an EPTC Esaaf pharmacy. EDA works with EPTC to implement the national drug tracking system and ensure pharmaceutical supply chain compliance.
• ECMI (Egyptian Medical Investments Company)coreOthers · 10 September 2024ECMI is the parent company/holding entity. Its Chairman, Major General Bahaa El-Din Zeidan, conducted inspection tours of EPTC warehouses after renovation. EPTC Chairman Dr. Abu El-Fotouh El-Tawil reports to ECMI leadership.
• Cairo University Faculty of PharmacymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2024Cooperation protocol signed between Cairo University Faculty of Pharmacy and EPTC for student training. Agreement includes establishment of an Esaaf 24 pharmacy at Qasr El-Aini Pharmacy College.
• Menoufia UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 December 2023Cooperation agreement to establish an ambulance pharmacy within Menoufia University hospitals. Signed between the university president and EPTC chairman.
• NovartismajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNovartis is a global pharmaceutical company based in Basel, Switzerland. EPTC distributes Novartis products in Egypt through its distribution network of branches and pharmacies.
• AstraZenecamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAstraZeneca is headquartered in the UK and has a regional office in New Cairo, Egypt. EPTC distributes AstraZeneca pharmaceutical products.
• GSK (GlaxoSmithKline)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGSK is a global pharmaceutical company headquartered in Brentford, UK. EPTC distributes GSK products through its network.
• PfizermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPfizer has an office at Cairo Festival City in New Cairo. EPTC distributes Pfizer pharmaceutical products in Egypt.
• Johnson & JohnsonmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal healthcare company headquartered in New Brunswick, New Jersey. EPTC distributes J&J pharmaceutical products.
• AmgenmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmgen is a US-based biotechnology company. EPTC distributes Amgen biopharmaceutical products.
• AbbViemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAbbVie is headquartered in North Chicago, Illinois, USA. EPTC distributes AbbVie pharmaceutical products.
• BayermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman pharmaceutical and life sciences company headquartered in Leverkusen, Germany. EPTC distributes Bayer products.
• Novo NordiskmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDanish pharmaceutical company specializing in diabetes care, headquartered in Bagsvaerd, Denmark. EPTC distributes Novo Nordisk products including insulin.
• Boehringer IngelheimmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman pharmaceutical company headquartered in Ingelheim am Rhein. EPTC distributes Boehringer Ingelheim products.
• ServiermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench independent pharmaceutical company based in Suresnes, France. EPTC distributes Servier products.
• Pharco PharmaceuticalsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEgyptian pharmaceutical company located in Alexandria. EPTC distributes Pharco products as part of its local manufacturer partnerships.
• EIPICOmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEgyptian International Pharmaceutical Investments Company located in 10th of Ramadan City. EPTC distributes EIPICO products.
• Amoun Pharmaceutical CompanymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEgyptian pharmaceutical manufacturer located in Obour City, Qalyubia. EPTC distributes Amoun products.
• Orchidia PharmaceuticalmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEgyptian pharmaceutical company based in Dakahlia Governorate. EPTC distributes Orchidia products.
• RamedamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEgyptian pharmaceutical company headquartered in Mohandessin, Giza. EPTC distributes Rameda products.
• Unified Procurement Authority (UPA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUPA Chairman Dr. Hisham Stet conducted inspection tours of EPTC pharmacies and warehouses to monitor workflow and enhance strategic stockpiles. EPTC operates as a key partner in the healthcare system under UPA oversight.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Julphar (Gulf Pharmaceutical Industries): UAE-based pharmaceutical manufacturer with MENA-wide distribution of branded generics, hospital products, and consumer health. Comparable to EPTC's combined manufacturer-distributor role serving governments and pharmacies across the region.
• SPIMACO Addwaeih: Saudi Arabian pharmaceutical manufacturer and distributor operating across MENA. Comparable to EPTC as a regional pharma manufacturing-plus-distribution player with deep institutional/government hospital relationships.
• Saudi Chemical Company: Saudi pharmaceutical and healthcare distribution group serving hospitals and pharmacies across the Kingdom. Closest regional comparable to EPTC's hospital supply centers and sales-branch distribution model within the GCC/MENA healthcare ecosystem.

Direct peers

• McKesson: Largest US pharmaceutical wholesaler distributing branded, generic, and specialty drugs to retail pharmacies, hospitals, and government health systems. EPTC mirrors this B2B pharmaceutical distribution model at national scale, including sole/semi-exclusive handling of specialty and controlled products.
• Cardinal Health: US pharmaceutical and medical product distributor with both a wholesale arm and an at-scale retail pharmacy segment. Highly comparable to EPTC's parallel wholesale and 78-pharmacy retail footprint, including deep institutional (hospital) supply relationships.
• Cencora (formerly AmerisourceBergen): Top-tier global pharmaceutical distributor serving pharmacies, hospitals, and manufacturers with broad specialty and controlled-substance handling. Comparable to EPTC in distribution-centric B2B model, multi-channel reach into retail and institutional customers, and reliance on manufacturer relationships for branded and specialty SKUs.
• Phoenix Group: Europe's largest pharmaceutical distribution and retail pharmacy operator, combining a wholesale network with thousands of owned retail pharmacies. Directly analogous to EPTC's combined wholesale-branch-plus-Esaaf24 pharmacy model in a regulated, multi-country healthcare market.

Emerging players

• EIPICO: Major Egyptian pharmaceutical manufacturer and one of EPTC's distribution partners. Comparable as a domestic pharma player with hospital, retail, and tender channels, and as the primary local alternative for the imported specialty medicines EPTC distributes.
• Pharco Pharmaceuticals: Largest Egyptian pharmaceutical manufacturer, with EPTC as a key distribution partner. Highly relevant as a domestic peer given overlapping therapeutic categories, shared Egyptian government/healthcare-system access, and joint presence on the same manufacturer-distributor value chain.

Broad incumbents

• Walgreens Boots Alliance: Global pharmacy retail and wholesale platform with both store-level pharmaceutical dispensing and large-scale distribution. Comparable to EPTC's retail pharmacy and institutional supply businesses, though operating at much larger scale and across geographies.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/eptc.egydrug
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/egyptian-pharmaceutical-trading-company

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Egyptian Pharmaceutical Trading Company