Moroccan pharmaceutical sector posts over $ 400 ml turnover

The Moroccan pharmaceutical sector posted between 1995 and 2000 a sale of over $ 400 million and investments worth $120 million, said the latest bulletin of the Moroccan employers association (CGEM).

The sector, which provides some 5,000 direct jobs, covers 80% of local consumption, exports 10% of its production worth $ 30 million. It imports only drugs that are not highly consumed in Morocco.

Accounting for nearly 50% of the African market, that is $ 350 million, the Moroccan market is becoming a pole of interest for pharmaceutical leading companies, the CGEM said, adding that this reflects the sector's performance and dynamism.

However, the bulletin revealed that the low local consumption affects the sector and its investment prospects. The average consumption per habitant is nearly $18 per year.

Morocco has 23 drug-making units and 4,500 pharmacies.