Rabat – The 8th International Conference of the Association of World Moroccan Pharmacists (MPharma), held on Saturday, concluded with a series of impactful recommendations aimed at addressing the ongoing challenges within Morocco's pharmaceutical sector.
Participants called on the Ministry of Health to revisit its proposed drug pricing decree, emphasizing the importance of a "genuine participatory approach" that involves pharmacists in the decision-making process.
The conference also recommended stricter measures to combat the illegal sale of medicines outside authorized channels and urged the immediate organization of elections for regional pharmacy councils.
Delegates further advocated for an end to the prosecution of pharmacists under laws inherited from the French Protectorate, instead calling for a comprehensive overhaul of the legal framework governing the pharmaceutical sector.
Under the theme "The Pharmacist and Humanitarian Work," the conference highlighted the profession’s significant social and humanitarian contributions. Speakers recalled the essential role pharmacists played during the devastating Al Haouz earthquake, where they provided critical medicines and emotional support, as well as throughout the COVID-19 crisis, which tested Morocco’s healthcare system.
Additionally, speakers emphasized that the role of pharmacists extends beyond dispensing medications, encompassing health awareness campaigns, patient counseling, and active involvement in the execution of public health policies.
The conference's conclusions underscored that Moroccan pharmacists view themselves as integral to healthcare delivery and humanitarian efforts, yet they feel marginalized in key policy decisions. Their call for reform, greater oversight, and updated legislation signals a sector at a turning point, grappling with outdated systems and the urgent need for modernization.