Medicine prices to be cut in Morocco

Health Minister El Hussein el-Ouardi The cost of medicine in Morocco is to be drastically reduced, following Tuesday’s meeting between the Moroccan Health Minister and representatives of the largest pharmaceutical companies in Morocco With Moroccan citizen spending 400 Dirhams on medicine annually and families bearing 57 percent of the actual price, the high cost of medication is back on the agenda.
Drug prices are up to 30 to 189 percent more expensive in Morocco compared to other countries such as France and Tunisia.
Health Minister El Hussein el-Ouardi has agreed with drug manufacturers to take measures to reduce drug prices in Morocco. The adoption of average prices from seven countries including France, Spain, Italy, and the Saudi Arabia will save Morocco 400 million Dirhams.
The adoption of the average of the cheapest price between the two countries in the world means that Morocco will make savings of one and a half billion Dirhams annually.
Ouardi confirmed his commitment to the reduction of drug prices, regardless of any pressure from organisations benefitting from the higher prices.
Mustafa Ibrahimi Member of Parliament for the Justice and Development Party said companies should not be allowed to manipulate drug prices in Morocco. In Morocco a bottle of insulin sells for 200 to 250 Dirhams, but pharmaceutical companies buy each bottle for 24 Dirhams, added Member of the Parliament for Constitutional Union Party Mohammed Godar.
Other Members of Parliament have urged the Health Minister to be stricter with the pharmaceutical companies and to publicise those who refuse to reduce prices.