The Moroccan government has approved a sweeping revision of the kingdom’s pharmaceutical code alongside a structural reorganisation of the customs administration, signalling a dual commitment to public health modernisation and economic efficiency. The Council of Government, meeting in Rabat on Thursday under Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, adopted a draft law amending the Code du médicament et de la pharmacie and a decree relating to the status of medical, pharmacy and dental students. These measures aim to strengthen the regulatory role of the Moroccan Agency for Medicines and Health Products, particularly in licensing, market surveillance, inspection and pharmacovigilance, aligning national standards with internationally accepted benchmarks. Viewed from Rabat, the revision is intended to improve the quality and safety of medicines while enhancing access – a priority in a health system still recovering from the strains of the pandemic.

The same session approved a separate decree reorganising the Ministry of Economy and Finance, with specific focus on the Administration des Douanes et Impôts Indirects (ADII). Presented by Budget Minister Fouzi Lekjaa, the decree updates the framework that has governed the ministry since 2008. Analysts in London note that customs modernisation is a perennial challenge for emerging economies; Morocco’s move is likely intended to streamline trade facilitation, reduce clearance times and bolster revenue collection. The timing, coinciding with the pharmaceutical reforms, suggests a broader governmental push to improve institutional performance across both economic and social sectors.

The decree on medical students formalises the status of trainees, observers, externs and interns at faculties of medicine, pharmacy and dentistry. This addresses long-standing complaints about unclear career progression and working conditions among young healthcare professionals – a bottleneck that has contributed to Morocco’s shortage of doctors. Taken together, the twin decisions reflect a coordinated approach: upgrading the regulatory environment for medicines while expanding and stabilising the human resources needed to deliver care. The coming months will test whether these legal instruments translate into tangible improvements in public services and fiscal efficiency.