After three weeks of methadone shortages at Moroccan addiction treatment centers, new shipments were delivered to distribution points yesterday, ensuring the availability of this essential medication for patients undergoing addiction treatment. «On Friday evening, the imported supply successfully arrived at its destination. It was transferred on Saturday morning and distributed to medical facilities throughout the day and into Sunday», said Abdessamad Lamrabet, regional secretary of the National Health Federation within the Moroccan Workers' Union (UMT) in Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima, speaking to Yabiladi. According to Lamrabet, the resupply prompted a significant influx of patients to treatment centers on Saturday, requiring «the full mobilization of healthcare staff to manage all cases». «Nearly 80% of affected patients sought their doses yesterday, with particularly high turnout at the four facilities in Tangier», he added. While private practitioners experienced methadone shortages for the first time, Lamrabet stressed that «the situation is not unprecedented». He noted that «over the past seven years, there have been occasional shortages in public treatment centers, mainly because this medication is not yet produced in Morocco». He emphasized the need for stronger supply management, stating, «These treatments should never be allowed to run out. Authorities must maintain a substantial reserve to prevent disruptions». Temporary dose reductions were considered while awaiting new shipments, but «this measure proved insufficient», he said, calling on the Ministry of Health and Social Protection to take responsibility. The National Public Health Union within the Democratic Labor Federation (FDT) also confirmed that methadone doses have now been delivered in affected regions, where this substitution therapy is critical in preventing severe withdrawal symptoms among patients.
