Concerns Over Ignored Proposals in Drug Pricing Reform
The Confederation of Moroccan Pharmacists has expressed strong disapproval following the government's approval of a draft decree aimed at revising drug prices. The union asserts that the adopted version disregarded essential proposals that they had previously submitted during various consultation phases. In a public statement, the confederation voiced its surprise at the approval of the project without consideration of its observations, even though it had actively participated in the reform initiative intended to lower prices, enhance citizens' access to healthcare, and ensure the sustainability of health insurance funds.
The professional body highlighted that the management approach to this issue lacked a participatory methodology. It pointed out that the consultation sessions concluded without adopting any of the suggestions made by professionals, leading to their exclusion from further discussions on a project that impacts over 14,000 pharmacists in Morocco. The confederation criticized the new decree's amendments, stating that they fail to address the structural imbalances created by the 2013 decree and may instead replicate the same outcomes, potentially at an accelerated pace.
Warnings of Market Disruption and Reduced Local Production
In this context, the confederation warned about the continued phenomenon of the withdrawal of several low-cost medications from the national market, which could negatively affect citizens' access to treatment. They also alerted to what they termed the "weakening of national pharmaceutical sovereignty" due to a decline in local production's contribution to meeting needs, alongside an increasing reliance on imports. Furthermore, the statement noted that the mechanisms employed to reduce the prices of expensive medications are, according to the confederation, limited in their impact on citizens' purchasing power, while some laboratories and insurance funds benefit from these adjustments.
The union expressed concerns about the potential deepening of pharmacies' vulnerabilities, asserting that the decree does not align with the Competition Council's recommendations, which advocate for enabling pharmacies to provide new health services, thereby reducing their dependence on profit margins from drug sales. Conversely, the Confederation of Moroccan Pharmacists reaffirmed its commitment to a "balanced vision" that emphasizes lowering the prices of high-cost medications while maintaining the sustainability of the health system and ensuring the stability of pharmacies, which are critical in achieving pharmaceutical security and bringing health services closer to citizens.
As reported by alyaoum24.com.
