Availability of Medicines Depends on Supply, Demand and Situation on International Markets (Minister)

In response to a question on « the shortage of certain drugs for patients with advanced cancer », addressed by the Socialist group during the session devoted to oral questions, Ait Taleb recalled the strategy adopted by the Ministry to ensure the strategic stock and reserve stock of drugs, noting, however, that this approach « does not mean that Morocco will be immune to the shortage of drugs » because of rising prices on the international market or the lack of raw materials.

These factors could lead companies not to import pharmaceutical products, he added, stressing the need to reconsider prices « at a time when we are experiencing some difficulties ».

In this context, and in response to the lack of some drugs in Moroccan pharmacies, such as morphine, Ait Taleb said that this drug is produced by two companies in Morocco.

The Minister of Health and Social Protection also said that one million tablets of morphine will be distributed nationally, in order to meet the needs of pharmaceutical products, noting that the « Moscontin 100 mg » is available on the market.