The Egyptian Unified Procurement Authority (UPA) is an exceptional economic entity with a unique structure, vision, and responsibilities. UPA is the largest entity of its kind in Egypt, specializing in the procurement, storage, and distribution of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and supplies through the unified procurement system for government entities.
The Authority’s approach is built on three key principles: effective participation, the application of best technologies, and a strong growth strategy. It also plays an essential role in preparing studies and establishing advanced integrated systems in operational and core information resources to elevate the healthcare sector.
UPA offers its services to public-sector clients in Egypt. Its establishment was driven by the need for a specialized entity with sufficient financial resources, legal powers, and flexibility to maximize the benefits of strategic procurement in pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and supplies. The UPA works in collaboration with the best suppliers to negotiate with both local and international manufacturers, ensuring high standards of service for Egypt’s healthcare system.
Since 2021, UPA has taken significant steps to support Egypt’s healthcare vision by ensuring the efficiency and quality of procurement and supply for all government entities. The unified procurement of pharmaceuticals for government entities is UPA’s flagship practice, expected to make a substantial impact, both for local suppliers and for manufacturers worldwide, helping to achieve the broader goals of Egypt Vision 2030.
The unified procurement system has now been established as the standard for pharmaceutical procurement across all government entities. This eliminates the need for individual tenders by each entity, with all purchases being made through UPA to streamline the process and ensure its success.
UPA expects local suppliers and manufacturers to offer prices significantly lower than previous tendered prices or those provided by individual government entities.
This procurement process is governed by the UPA Procurement and Contracting Regulations, issued under UPA’s Board Decision No. (11) of 2020.
Access to essential health resources begins here. UPA is committed to running a clear, transparent, and fair tendering process for all pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, and devices. This section serves as the central interface for all public-sector procurement activities, providing suppliers and partners with real-time access to open opportunities, detailed historical archives, and the official procurement calendar.
Our unified system simplifies navigation, reduces administrative overhead, and ensures equitable participation by both local and international vendors, fostering a competitive and reliable national healthcare supply chain.
The Egyptian Unified Procurement Authority (UPA) aims to ensure equitable access of Pharmaceuticals and Health Technology products through conducting three main stages:
Assessment: It is executed by the central Administration of Health Technology Management as it involves Evidence-based technology assessment of the requested needs for pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, equipment, diagnostic equipment and consumables via priority setting and promoting the introduction of effective innovation; in addition to, re-assessments of the adopted technologies to ensure best allocation of resources.
Procurement: It is executed by central Administration of unified procurement through conducting Value-driven procurement methods with fact-based negotiation to procure the necessary quantities of health products with the highest quality and optimum price to cover all the needs.
Supply: It is executed by the Central Administration of medical supply by establishing a robust and sustainable supply chain, assuring the access of health products to the requesting entities at the right place and time.