Morocco’s Ministry of Health has cut prices on various medications, including cancer treatments, to improve patient accessibility. Key reductions affect drugs like AFINITOR and Cefico, with prices declining significantly. This strategy is part of broader ongoing reforms targeting expensive communications in healthcare, benefitting patients with chronic diseases and decreasing overall drug costs.
Morocco’s Ministry of Health and Social Protection has mandated price reductions on various medications, including cancer treatments. This decision follows reviews of price requests from pharmaceutical companies and includes both original and generic medications available in the country. The primary objective is to enhance accessibility to essential treatments for patients battling severe illnesses.
Notable price changes include a reduction in the price of AFINITOR 5mg, a cancer treatment, from MAD 16,280 ($1,630) to MAD 11,832 ($1,185) for a box of 30 tablets. Similarly, the antibiotic Cefico 200mg saw a decrease in price from MAD 91.50 ($9.15) to MAD 88.90 ($8.90) for a pack of eight tablets.
This initiative is part of a broader strategy aimed at fortifying Morocco’s healthcare system and alleviating financial burdens faced by patients requiring extensive medical treatment. Recently, Health Minister Amine Tahraoui announced upcoming price cuts for 190 medications related to chronic diseases, contributing to the overall reduction of costs for over 5,350 medications since 2021.
During discussions in Parliament, Minister Tahraoui highlighted that despite recent reforms aimed at regulating drug prices in 2023, the issue remains heated. The government’s commitment to setting these price adjustments targets a reduction in patient costs and aims to make critical, life-saving medications more affordable and accessible.
In summary, Morocco’s recent decision to lower medication prices, especially for cancer treatments, demonstrates a concerted effort to enhance healthcare access. With significant reductions in the costs of critical drugs, the government aims to alleviate the financial pressures on patients, particularly those with chronic conditions, while continuing to develop the healthcare infrastructure.
Original Source: www.moroccoworldnews.com
