Tunis: Health Minister, Ali Mrabet, underlined during his meeting with Director General of the Egyptian National Medicines Agency, Ali Ghamraoui, the need to strengthen joint action for the creation of laboratories of manufacturing raw materials so as to meet the needs of both countries for serums and vaccines. According to a statement published by the Health Ministry, Mrabet also called for strengthening coordination between the two countries to accelerate the creation of the Arab Medicines Agency. The meeting, which is held on the sidelines of the preliminary meeting for the establishment of the African Initiative for the Harmonization of Medicines Regulation in North Africa, also focused on boosting cooperation between the two countries in the field of medicines and pharmaceutical industries, the same source said. Ali Mrabet also underlined the importance of strengthening the bilateral partnership in the health sector, particularly in the areas of scientific research, pharmaceutical industries and the e xchange of experiences. The preliminary meeting for the establishment of the African Initiative for the Harmonization of Medicines Regulation in North Africa started on Tuesday in Tunis and will continue until April 18. Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Libya, Egypt and Mauritania are participating in this event with the aim of discussing ways to develop the pharmaceutical sector and improve the quality of health products, increase control as well as foster the exchange of expertise between countries in the field of medicines. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse