Moroccan stakeholders in the pharmaceutical and pharmaceutical industry are participating in the 24th International Pharmacy Forum, which opened yesterday morning in the Tunisian capital.
The forum includes scientific sessions and panel discussions centered on the theme “The Role of Artificial Intelligence in the Pharmaceutical Sector,” as well as an exhibition space featuring around 70 exhibitors, including four Moroccan pharmaceutical laboratories and a dedicated area for the Moroccan Federation of Pharmaceutical Industry and Innovation.
Regarding participation in this forum and its main objectives, Mohammed Bouhmadi, the president of the federation, stated in an interview with the Moroccan News Agency that the involvement of the pharmaceutical industry body is in partnership with the Moroccan Investment and Export Development Agency as part of a strategy to open up to foreign markets.
He emphasized that exporting and opening new markets is a vital condition for the national pharmaceutical industry, as it helps reduce production costs and enhances efficiency, particularly since the domestic market remains relatively small.
Bouhmadi noted that in Morocco, pharmaceutical factories operate at only 30 to 40 percent of their production capacity, indicating significant potential for additional production directed toward the African market. He clarified that opening up to African markets, both in terms of exports and investments, is aligned with the royal vision to enhance South-South cooperation, which includes sharing experiences and transferring expertise and joint investments.
Regarding the theme of the scientific sessions and panel discussions, Bouhmadi confirmed that artificial intelligence could particularly help reduce costs and timelines for developing active ingredients by aiding in data analysis, thus steering research in the right direction and minimizing side effects.
Consequently, if artificial intelligence is optimally used and regulated, it could “democratize innovation” in the field of pharmaceuticals, making it accessible to middle-income countries, according to the president of the Moroccan Federation of Pharmaceutical Industry and Innovation.
As for the purpose of pharmacists attending such international forums, Mohammed Hababi, president of the Confederation of Pharmacists’ Unions in Morocco, stated that participation in international gatherings generally allows pharmacists to stay informed about the latest developments, serving as a form of training.
He mentioned that international forums also provide an opportunity for benchmarking performance, work mechanisms, and operating methods compared to those in other countries and among professionals worldwide.
It is expected that Moroccan experts and specialists will contribute to the scientific sessions and panel discussions during the forum with presentations on how artificial intelligence can ensure personalized care for each patient and its role in higher education in pharmacy, as well as the challenges posed by generative artificial intelligence and the role of national regulatory agencies in Africa and the challenges they face.
According to the organizers, the scientific and interactive segments of the forum include approximately 20 scientific sessions, panel discussions, and 30 workshops covering topics related to the role of artificial intelligence in pharmaceutical research and production, as well as opportunities for cooperation among Southern countries to develop the pharmaceutical industry.
The new edition of the International Pharmacy Forum, lasting two days, features the participation of over 30 countries, with the presence of 50 experts and specialists, 70 exhibitors, and nearly 3,000 participants.
