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Morocco Intensifies Crackdown on Illegal Online Medication Sales
Morocco's health authorities are taking decisive action against the growing threat of illegal online medication sales, as revealed in a recent address by Health Minister Amine Tahraoui to the Chamber of Counselors. The minister highlighted increasing concerns about unregulated online pharmacies operating outside legal frameworks, posing significant risks to public health.
According to Tahraoui, these unauthorized platforms, ranging from basic websites to sophisticated e-commerce operations, are distributing potentially counterfeit medications that fail to meet essential safety and quality standards. While the full scope of the problem remains difficult to quantify, the minister emphasized its serious implications for public health safety.
In response to this escalating situation, the Public Prosecutor's Office has initiated a nationwide mobilization of judicial services. The minister cited alarming statistics indicating that approximately 10% of medications sold in developing countries are counterfeit, with a substantial portion distributed through online channels.
The Moroccan government's regulatory framework strictly limits medication sales to licensed pharmacies, pharmaceutical establishments, and accredited healthcare facilities. This regulation is reinforced by the country's Pharmaceutical Code (Law 17-04), which exclusively reserves the preparation, possession, and marketing of medications for licensed pharmacists.
Further strengthening these measures, Morocco has adopted Law 16-16, which aligns with the Council of Europe's Convention on counterfeit medical products and related public health threats. Minister Tahraoui called for enhanced coordination between judicial and health authorities, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive public awareness campaign about the risks associated with online medication purchases.
The initiative represents a significant step in Morocco's ongoing efforts to protect public health and ensure medication safety standards, particularly as global trends show an increasing tendency toward online pharmaceutical purchases.