Morocco Aspires to Become the Main Supplier of Medicines in Africa
The Regional Director of the World Health Organization for the Eastern Mediterranean, Hanan Balkhi, confirmed in Rabat on Tuesday that Morocco is among the advanced countries in pharmaceutical manufacturing and aims to become the main supplier of medicines on the African continent, thanks to its academic development and strategic geographical location.
Balkhi highlighted, following her meeting with the Director of the Moroccan Agency for Medicines and Health Products, Samir Ahid, that Morocco’s progress in the pharmaceutical sector allows it to expand partnerships to regions beyond the continent. She praised the agency’s role in providing safe and quality medicines at reasonable prices, ensuring access to medications for all segments of society.
She noted that the World Health Organization is working on developing multiple partnerships through its country office to establish a regional strategy for pharmaceutical manufacturing aimed at enhancing self-reliance and achieving pharmaceutical sovereignty, particularly in the Eastern Mediterranean region, considering Morocco as a key partner in this direction.
Samir Ahid explained that the establishment of the Moroccan Agency for Medicines and Health Products was in line with royal directives aimed at reforming the health system. He emphasized that the agency is focused on ensuring pharmaceutical sovereignty, as well as the availability, safety, and quality of medicines, indicating that it is working to achieve a third level of maturity according to World Health Organization standards.
He confirmed that the agency is committed to continuous evaluation and monitoring of medicines, training, and updating procedures through digitalization. He emphasized that this approach will enable Morocco to strengthen its position as a reference player in public health, not only at the continental level but also internationally, within a vision based on solidarity and sustainability.
The visit of the Regional Director of the World Health Organization falls within the framework of enhancing cooperation between the organization and the Kingdom of Morocco, given that the organization is a major partner in implementing health programs and joint projects, both locally and in a broader regional context.
