Rabat – The Moroccan government is in the process of drafting legislation that would scrap taxes on imported medications.
According to a government statement released on Saturday, Morocco’s Minister of Health and Social Protection Khalid Ait Taleb and Delegate Minister in charge of the Budget Fouzi Lekjaa are in the process of reducing the Value Added Tax (VAT) on imported health products, medical and paramedical equipment.
Details of the final decision would be released as part of the draft finance bill of 2023, the statement explains.
On the implications of the decision, the ministries maintain that they have dedicated a large team of experts working under the supervision of the two ministers with the single aim of reducing drug prices as well the prices of health products, and medical as well as paramedical supplies.
The Ministry of Health and Social Protection previously announced a number of measures to preserve the national stock of drugs and health products amid the ongoing shortage and global supply chain disruptions, the statement adds.
The news comes roughly one month after Morocco’s health ministry approved a decision to lower the prices of 70 different drugs, including some for chronic disease treatment.
The drug price reduction mainly extended to anti-cancer treatment drugs, antipsychotics, and diabetes drugs.
In recent years, Morocco has made significant strides in drifting legislation relating to the improvement of the country’s social safety net.
In November of last year, Morocco’s government announced a roadmap to integrate three million additional workers into the national social security fund CNSS that covers healthcare and pension.
As of 2022, almost 32% of older women in Morocco and 23% of older men have no form of health coverage, according to a report from the country’s Higher Commission of Planning (HCP).
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