High-Level Ethiopia Delegation Meets DCGI, IPC to Strengthen Pharmaceutical Ties
New Delhi: In a significant step toward reshaping pharmaceutical cooperation across the Global South, India and Ethiopia have taken concrete strides to strengthen regulatory alignment, enhance drug quality standards, and unlock new avenues for bilateral investment.
A high-level Ethiopian delegation's meeting with the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) and the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) on November 14, 2025, marks a pivotal moment that could accelerate Ethiopia’s pharmaceutical capacity building while deepening India's role as a trusted global partner in drug manufacturing, regulation, and standards development.
The meeting focused on strengthening cooperation in areas such as regulatory frameworks, pharmaceutical standards, and investment opportunities in the Indian pharmaceutical sector.
The delegation, representing Ethiopia's commitment to deepening pharmaceutical partnerships with India, included prominent officials Heran Gerba, Aknaw Kawza, Messay Woldemariam and Solomon Abdela.
The meetings are part of ongoing efforts to enhance Ethiopia’s pharmaceutical capabilities and explore opportunities for collaboration with Indian pharmaceutical manufacturers. These sessions are expected to lead to deeper regulatory harmonization and more accessible drug testing and certification processes between the two nations.
“We anticipate these discussions will pave the way for greater synergies in pharmaceutical development, investment, and trade, strengthening the bilateral relationship between India and Ethiopia in the pharmaceutical sector,” said Bhavin Mehta, Vice Chairman, Pharmexcil.
One of the key takeaways from the discussions was the emphasis on recognizing and adopting Indian Pharmacopeia (IP) standards for the testing and certification of drugs. The delegation expressed a strong interest in leveraging IP’s robust regulatory framework to facilitate smoother and more efficient pharmaceutical trade and investment. The recognition of the Indian Pharmacopeia will not only streamline testing processes but also provide significant cost advantages, thereby making Indian-made drugs more competitive globally.
Both delegations agreed on the next steps, including structured B2B engagements, follow-up delegations, capacity-building workshops, and a roadmap for India–Ethiopia pharmaceutical cooperation.
The Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil) is the apex export promotion council for the Drugs, Pharmaceutical & Healthcare industry in the global arena, established by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. It plays a crucial role in promoting Indian pharmaceutical exports, supporting exporters, and advancing bilateral market access and global pharmaceutical leadership. With over 4679+ members, PHARMEXCIL is mandated to help them achieve excellence in exports and facilitate overseas buyers to find suitable trade partners from the Indian pharma industry.
