Pharmacy capital opening is a poor solution to a significant problem, says Mohamed Lahbabi

Mohamed Lahbabi, president of the Confederation of Pharmacists' Unions of Morocco, states that opening pharmacy capital is not the right solution to the challenges facing the pharmaceutical sector. He argues that this measure would shift ownership from pharmacists to investors, fundamentally altering the pharmacy model and leading to a more financially driven approach. Lahbabi highlights the precarious economic situation of many pharmacies, with nearly 80% having a turnover below one million dirhams and an average income of around 6,000 dirhams, suggesting that the real issue lies in the economic model itself, not a lack of investors. He also warns of the risk of a single operator monopolizing the entire drug supply chain, from production to distribution. Lahbabi criticizes the Competition Council's report on the matter, calling it biased and based on data from directly involved parties. He asserts that the proposed reform is the culmination of an already existing orientation. He points out systemic dysfunctions, such as illegal drug sales by non-pharmacists and the circulation of products outside regulated channels, which weaken the profession. Regarding drug pricing, he notes that some price reductions have led to scarcity of accessible medicines, while expensive products remain subject to differentiated pricing, creating disparities in access. Lahbabi describes a tense relationship with the Ministry of Health, citing unfulfilled promises since 2013, and calls for the Prime