Moroccan Pharmacists Deny High-Profit Margins in Court of Audit’s Report

Moroccan pharmacists are pushing back against a recent critical report from the country’s Court of Audits suggesting that the high-profit margins of pharmacies are contributing to the elevated prices of medication.

Rabat – Moroccan pharmacists are pushing back against a recent critical report from the country’s Court of Audits suggesting that the high-profit margins of pharmacies are contributing to the elevated prices of medication.

Morocco’s Court of Audits published a report postulating that over-priced medications are due in part to pharmacies’ high-profit margins that reach as much as 57%.

The report explains that profit margins on medication range between 47% and 57% for medications that cost MAD 588 ($57) before tax, making it the highest on a list of other countries that includes Turkiye, Denmark, France, and Portugal where profit margins do not exceed 25% for the same category of medication.

Pharmacists are now pushing back against the data, with some going as far as to say that they do not reflect the reality in the Moroccan pharmaceutical sector, according to statements from professionals quoted in converging news reports.

Professionals told local media that the profit margins included in the report comprise a list of other operators including manufacturers, distributors, tax, and royalties on some types of medication. Workers within the sector further defended their case by adding that the profit margins do not count other expenses such as rent, and workers’ salaries.

Reports based on statements of pharmacists further suggest that the profit margin on medications that cost less than MAD 166 ($15) falls a little below 34%.

In addition to high-profit margins, the court of audit’s report listed a number of other irregularities pertaining to the medication market in Morocco.

The report indicated that the sector is plagued with widespread violations such as the “constant absence” of the pharmacist in charge, improper storage zones for expired medication, and medication that should be kept in specific storage conditions.