Health Crisis in Morocco: Shortage of Anticancer Drugs Endangers Patients
A critical shortage of two anti-cancer drugs, Tamoxifen and Letrozole, threatens the health of thousands of patients in Morocco, reveals MP Loubna Sghiri of the Party of Progress and Socialism (PPS). In a public alert, she called on the Minister of Health to demand urgent measures, pointing out that the availability of these vital treatments has been compromised for three months in several regions of the country.
These drugs, essential in hormonal and chemotherapy treatments, are particularly crucial for patients with breast cancer. Their absence exposes patients to increased risks of relapse and rapid progression of the disease, seriously compromising their chances of remission.
The shortage also increases the psychological burden on patients and their families, who add to the challenges of treatment the fear of not accessing the necessary care. Sghiri highlighted the need for a more reliable and decentralized distribution system, particularly for remote regions, where supply difficulties are most severe.
In response to this crisis, Sghiri recommends a reorganization of the drug distribution chain and the establishment of strategic reserves to avoid possible supply disruptions. It also suggests stricter control to anticipate the growing demand for cancer treatments and better manage stocks, a recurring deficiency in the Moroccan health system.
The urgency for sustainable solutions is obvious, and Sghiri advocates investment in the local production of essential medicines to limit Morocco’s dependence on imports. The creation of pharmaceutical manufacturing infrastructure could consolidate the country’s health sovereignty, mitigating the impacts of international crises on the availability of essential treatments.
For experts and patient rights advocates, the shortage of Tamoxifen and Letrozole reveals structural weaknesses in Moroccan public health policy. Faced with growing demand, it becomes imperative to guarantee continued access to cancer treatments, highlighting the need for comprehensive reform of the health system to prevent patients from being left without care again.
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