Lawmakers seek probe into controversial drug purchase amid judicial investigation

The controversy surrounding the government’s acquisition of a specific pharmaceutical has intensified, with Morocco’s Public Prosecutor’s Office opening an investigation into the matter.

Abdellah Bouanou, head of the Justice and Development Party (PJD) parliamentary group, confirmed Wednesday that the judiciary has begun examining the issues raised during recent debates.

Bouanou criticized the government’s handling of the situation, particularly explanations provided by Health Minister Amine Tahraoui and the director of the Moroccan Agency for Medicines and Health Products. “Their presentation did not answer our questions,” he said, emphasizing the urgent need for a parliamentary inquiry.

He noted the limits Parliament faces once the judiciary intervenes, saying, “We have seen this before: as soon as the justice system takes over a matter, it becomes impossible to set up a parliamentary investigative committee, and many of these commissions never deliver results.”

Despite this, Bouanou stressed the importance of respecting judicial independence while maintaining cooperation between government branches. “We respect and value the judiciary, which remains independent. But in this case, we requested the creation of a commission of inquiry, and this process must continue,” he said.

Bouanou warned that interference from “any other party” could limit Parliament’s authority and insisted that a parliamentary commission is essential to shed light on all raised concerns. He added that PJD Secretary-General Abdelilah Benkirane had contacted him regarding the submission of the commission request, and he advised waiting for the government’s response before moving forward.

The call for a parliamentary probe comes amid broader concerns about transparency and potential conflicts of interest in government drug procurement, making it one of the most closely watched oversight efforts in recent years.