Rabat – Morocco’s Competition Council has appealed for a public debate to improve the pharmacy sector.
Ahmed Rahhou, the council president, made his appeal today in Rabat, stating that reforms aim to better serve cities.
He discussed challenges like limited pharmacy hours, rising healthcare costs, and access to medicines.
During the briefing, professionals emphasized how the pharmaceutical sector is a key contributor to Morocco’s economy, representing approximately MAD 25 billion ($2.67 billion) in annual spending.
Nearly MAD 13 billion ($1.39 billion) flows through wholesalers responsible for supplying pharmacies.
Rahhou emphasized the possibility of evolving the pharmacy model, including forms of grouping or employing multiple pharmacies together to ensure better services and extended opening hours.
This grouping model could also provide support to smaller pharmacies that often have limited access to medications. Through larger cooperation, these pharmacies can improve supply and ensure wider access to treatments.
Addressing the situation of the national pharmaceutical market, Rahhou clarified that the challenge is not only the economic importance of the sector but also the quality of the service provided to citizens.
Morocco has over 14,000 pharmacies, roughly one for every 2,600 inhabitants. He described the sector as relatively dense, stating the numbers cited exceed World Health Organization recommendations.
The challenge, however, is more related to the organization of service and the availability of pharmacies at different times of the day, he said.
He also cited limited opening hours that could complicate citizens’ access to medicines.
The remarks came after viral reports and videos documented citizens’ concerns over pharmacies’ working hours.
For Rahhou, the pharmaceutical profession requires qualified professionals capable of verifying prescriptions and guiding patients.