PharmaZ Career Summit Sparks Interest in Egypt’s Budding Pharmacist Talent

Mohammed Fathy

Last updated 24-04-2026

4 min

More than 3,000 pharmacy students attended the PharmaZ Career Summit in Egypt.

Over 50 companies offered placements and roles beyond the pharmacy counter.

Panels asked what skills are needed in five years.

Industry leaders and officials aimed to “close the skills gap”.

Organisers said it narrows the gap between study and labour market.

More than 3,000 pharmacy students filled the campus of the British University in Egypt this April for the PharmaZ Career Summit, a gathering that is quickly becoming one of the biggest professional meet-ups for aspiring pharmacists across the region. Organised by MedZ, the event brought together students from universities across Egypt with more than 50 pharmaceutical and healthcare companies, a mix of regional heavyweights and international names.

It’s not every day you see lecture halls buzzing like a trading floor. But that was the vibe. Students moved between stands, panel rooms and workshop spaces, keen to understand where the industry is heading and, more importantly, where they might fit into it. That kind of early career curiosity feels spot on, especially as the healthcare sector keeps shifting under the pressure of tech, regulation and supply chain headaches.

According to figures shared by the organisers, over 50 companies and institutions took part, offering training placements, job opportunities and a clearer window into roles beyond the traditional pharmacy counter. Pharmaceutical marketing, research, supply chains, health tech, all were on the table. And believe it or not, many students seemed just as interested in these newer tracks as in clinical roles. Times are changing, well… I mean, quite fast.

The summit also attracted senior industry leaders. Among them were Dr Mohey El Mazar, Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy at the British University in Egypt; Dr Ali Yehia, North Africa Cluster Head at Jamjoom Pharma; Dr Waheed Ahmed, NEA Region & Turkey Cluster Head at Fresenius Kabi; Dr Asmaa Salman, General Manager of Marketing and Business Development at the Egypt Healthcare Authority; and Dr Wael Hafez, Founder and CEO of Globe International Pharmaceutical. Their presence added weight to discussions around how academia and industry can close the skills gap, something many in the region say is long overdue.

Representatives from the Egypt Healthcare Authority also took part, underlining official backing for initiatives that aim to connect students with real-market demands. That bridge between lecture theatre and labour market can sometimes feel like a bit of a faff to build, but events like this attempt to shorten the distance.

Panel discussions tackled the tougher questions: What skills will pharmacists need in five years? How is digital transformation reshaping drug distribution? Where do young graduates stand in a competitive market? Workshops and mentorship sessions allowed for more direct engagement. Students weren’t just passive listeners; they networked, asked blunt questions and exchanged contacts that could, with luck, turn into internships or job offers.

Marwan Abu-Saty, Founder and CEO of MedZ, said the idea behind PharmaZ Career Summit is rooted in narrowing the gap between academic education and labour market requirements. He noted that giving students direct exposure to the industry helps them make more informed career decisions. He added that the strong turnout reflects growing demand for initiatives that move beyond surface-level career advice and instead open tangible doors for young professionals in healthcare.

From where I stand, and having met many early-stage founders trying to break into regulated sectors, I reckon this kind of cross-sector handshake is not just helpful, it’s necessary. The pharmaceutical industry in Egypt and the wider region is evolving, and students who wait until graduation to think about their path may find themselves playing catch-up.

MedZ says the summit is part of its broader efforts to prepare medical-field students for the job market through interactive platforms that connect them directly with employers and experts. The bigger picture, of course, is strengthening Egypt’s healthcare ecosystem by building a pipeline of qualified, industry-ready talent.

The event wrapped up with positive feedback from participants, many of whom called for more gatherings of this scale. For a sector that depends heavily on knowledge, compliance and precision, definitly not the easiest environment to navigate, these moments of connection could make all the difference. And for readers at Arageek keeping an eye on how talent pipelines are being shaped in MENA, this is one to watch.

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