Morocco is set to launch a sweeping reform of its pharmaceutical policy in 2026, slashing import duties on 112 essential medicines from 30% down to just 2.5%. The announcement, made by Budget Minister Delegate Fouzi Lekjaa during the presentation of the national budget and the Ministry of Health’s performance report, signals a major shift in the country’s approach to drug pricing, access, and public health.
The reform serves several key goals. Economically, it’s intended to ease the financial burden on patients by making treatments more affordable. Structurally, it aims to reduce pressure on the country’s medical coverage system, where drug costs consume a significant share of spending. But above all, the initiative is strategic: it seeks to strengthen Morocco’s supply chain resilience and lay the groundwork for genuine pharmaceutical sovereignty.
Lekjaa emphasized that the reform is not driven by fiscal concerns. Customs duties on pharmaceuticals account for only a marginal portion of national revenue. The priority, he said, is to ensure broader access to vital treatments while maintaining a balanced and competitive environment for local pharmaceutical producers.
As part of this overhaul, 308 internationally recognized drug names were reassessed. Of those, 112 will see substantial tariff reductions, 10 will be adjusted slightly, and 34 will have their import duties raised to protect domestic manufacturing from cheap foreign alternatives.
This new measure builds on Morocco’s earlier reforms to its customs classification system, which began in 2023 with the restructuring of Chapter 30. That revision introduced a tiered tax system: 2.5% for medicines not produced locally, 30% for those manufactured in Morocco, and a range of 10% to 17.5% for products with mixed origins.
The government plans to expand the list of medications eligible for tariff cuts, focusing especially on those with rapidly growing demand or no domestic production. At the same time, tighter oversight will be introduced across the distribution network to ensure that the tariff reductions lead to actual price drops at the pharmacy counter.
To support this transition, the Moroccan Agency for Medicines and Health Products will have a window of adjustment to work alongside manufacturers, importers, and healthcare professionals. Their role will be to ensure that the reform is effectively implemented and benefits patients as intended.
This policy is part of a broader national strategy to integrate pharmaceuticals more deeply into Morocco’s healthcare development model. It reflects a commitment to boosting local production, increasing the use of generic drugs, cutting reliance on imports, and encouraging innovation in the sector.
For Lekjaa, this is not just a matter of fine-tuning tax rates. It’s a fundamental, long-term strategy. By making medication more accessible, Morocco hopes to transform healthcare access into a tool for social equity—and a pillar of its future health sovereignty.
