Akhannouch announces a reduction in the prices of thousands of medicines as part of comprehensive health reforms
Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch has announced a reduction in the prices of more than 4,500 generic medicines, under what he described as an ambitious pharmaceutical policy aimed at ensuring citizens’ right to health care and the sustainability of health coverage. He emphasized that this decision is a culmination of ongoing efforts to restore the value of health as a fundamental right, not a commodity governed by market logic.
During a monthly accountability session in the House of Representatives, Akhannouch clarified that exempting medicines from value-added tax, both during importation and domestically, was a key lever in achieving this reduction. He considered this measure to go beyond pricing issues, reflecting a comprehensive vision based on establishing “comprehensive health equity” by providing medicines, improving working conditions for professionals, and retaining national talents amid the ongoing emigration of doctors and nurses.
The Prime Minister highlighted the achievements of social dialogue in the health sector, mentioning a monthly increase of 3,800 dirhams for doctors, pharmacists, and dentists, speeding up promotions for nurses, as well as increasing professional hazard allowances for technical and administrative staff to 1,400 dirhams.
He confirmed that the government has created additional incentives for health staff in remote areas, along with support for the Hasssan II Foundation for Social Works, within the framework of the new “health service” law, which he described as a fundamental reform to address long-standing structural imbalances in the health system.
Akhannouch noted that the payroll structure will undergo a structural transformation in the coming period, consisting of a fixed part and a variable part linked to performance, thus helping to reduce the wage gap between the public and private sectors and enhance the attractiveness of the public sector.
He indicated that these reforms fall within the 2030 vision, which aims to expand the pool of doctors, generalize university hospitals, and establish local health groups, reinforcing that the government is moving within a coherent framework under royal guidance aimed at building a strong health system that meets the aspirations of Moroccans and keeps pace with future challenges.
