The Moroccan Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AMMPS) has denied media reports claiming that Morocco is facing a shortage of more than 600 medicines used to treat chronic illnesses. In a statement, the national authority responsible for regulating and overseeing the pharmaceutical sector stressed that national-level data do not support the figures cited. It noted that, if such a shortage were real, it would have had significant repercussions on the healthcare system, which have not been observed. The agency acknowledged that temporary shortages of certain pharmaceutical products can occur, a phenomenon seen worldwide, often due to supply chain pressures, difficulties in sourcing raw materials, or fluctuations in global markets. However, it emphasized that Morocco takes proactive measures to mitigate such challenges and ensure patients' continued access to treatment. Working in coordination with the Ministry of Health and Social Protection and other stakeholders, the AMMPS, through its Pharmaceutical Market Monitoring and Surveillance Service, continuously monitors the national medicine supply, detects potential shortages in advance, and implements rapid, targeted measures to safeguard the availability of essential drugs. This system, the agency said, has proven effective in anticipating and managing risks before they affect patients. As part of Morocco's national pharmaceutical sovereignty strategy, the AMMPS is pursuing a policy based on three priorities: boosting local production to reduce reliance on imports, promoting competition and the development of generics to ensure affordable alternatives, and securing supplies of vital medicines through proactive planning, source diversification, and strategic stockpiles. The agency reaffirmed its commitment to working with all sector stakeholders to maintain the steady availability of essential medicines, stressing that protecting citizens' health remains its top priority.
