Moroccan Health Minister: Impossible to legislate doctor migration ban

Morocco’s Minister of Health and Social Protection, Amine Tahraoui, outlined several critical challenges facing the country’s healthcare sector, including the migration of healthcare professionals, drug shortages, and the need for improved working conditions in hospitals.

Speaking before the Education, Cultural Affairs, and Social Committee at the House of Councillors, Tahraoui emphasized that reforms are necessary to enhance the attractiveness of the healthcare sector and ensure better management of resources.

The migration of healthcare professionals abroad remains a significant issue, Tahraoui acknowledged. “While we cannot pass a law to prevent healthcare workers from leaving, we can rely on their eventual return after gaining valuable experience abroad, benefiting the Kingdom’s healthcare system,” he said.

Tahraoui promised that the government would introduce measures to improve working conditions and revamp hospital infrastructure to meet international standards. He highlighted the Mohammed VI University Hospital in Tangier and the Agadir University Hospital, currently under construction, as examples of state-of-the-art facilities that provide a modern work environment, potentially surpassing those in developed nations.

The health minister also emphasized ongoing efforts to implement legal reforms, particularly in career management within the healthcare sector and improving the quality of services in university and general hospitals. He stated that new reforms are expected to significantly enhance the attractiveness of healthcare jobs in Morocco.

Addressing the issue of drug prices, Tahraoui reiterated his recent comments before the House of Representatives, explaining that manufacturing costs, along with the profit margins of pharmacists and distributors, are major factors in determining the price of medicines. “The solution is to promote local manufacturing, especially for generics,” he added.

Tahraoui acknowledged that drug prices are often out of reach for many citizens and recalled the recent reduction in the VAT rate on pharmaceutical products and raw materials from 7% to 0% under the 2024 Finance Bill. This policy has had a positive impact on the prices of approximately 4,500 original and generic drugs.

On the matter of drug shortages, Tahraoui explained that this is often due to issues beyond the ministry’s control, particularly shortages in countries where drugs are manufactured. He also cited the lack of locally produced generic medications as a contributing factor. Despite these challenges, he assured that the ministry is working with the Ministry of Economy and Finance to address the issue.

Regarding the management of drug stocks, Tahraoui outlined the government’s national strategy for the supply and distribution of medicines and medical supplies. This strategy includes increasing the budget for medications and expanding public procurement orders for drugs facing shortages.

Tahraoui also stressed the importance of using the government’s information systems to monitor the national distribution of medicines, ensuring a balanced supply across the country.