DCGI, Ethiopian delegation discuss deeper cooperation on regulatory standards and pharma investments
The delegation included officials Heran Gerba, Aknaw Kawza, Messay Woldemariam and Solomon Abdela, signalling Ethiopia’s commitment to expanding partnerships with India’s pharmaceutical sector.
Meeting highlights interest in adopting Indian Pharmacopeia standards and strengthening bilateral drug certification frameworks
New Delhi, Nov. 17: A high-level Ethiopian delegation led by state minister of health Frehiwot Abebe held detailed discussions with senior representatives of the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) and the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) last week, focusing on regulatory collaboration, pharmaceutical standards and new investment opportunities.
The delegation included officials Heran Gerba, Aknaw Kawza, Messay Woldemariam and Solomon Abdela, signalling Ethiopia’s commitment to expanding partnerships with India’s pharmaceutical sector. The meeting is part of an ongoing effort to strengthen Ethiopia’s regulatory ecosystem and enhance access to Indian pharmaceutical expertise.
The discussions centred on advancing regulatory harmonisation, supporting Ethiopia’s pharmaceutical capability building and enabling smoother drug testing and certification between the two countries. Bhavin Mehta, vice chairman of Pharmexcil, said the dialogue is expected to create stronger synergies in pharmaceutical development, investment and trade.
One of the key takeaways was Ethiopia’s strong interest in recognising and adopting Indian Pharmacopeia (IP) standards for drug testing and certification. Officials said such recognition would streamline regulatory processes, reduce costs, and improve competitiveness of Indian-manufactured drugs in global markets. The adoption of IP standards is also expected to strengthen the quality and reliability of pharmaceutical imports into Ethiopia.
Both sides agreed on the next steps, including structured B2B engagements, follow-up delegations, capacity-building workshops and a roadmap for future India–Ethiopia pharmaceutical cooperation.
About Pharmexcil
The Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil), established by the ministry of commerce and industry, is the apex export promotion body for India’s drugs, pharmaceutical and healthcare sector. With more than 4,679 members, it supports exporters, facilitates global market access and promotes India’s leadership in the international pharmaceutical industry.
