In 2003, more than 612 tons of Moroccan pharmaceuticals in all therapeutic classes

were exported to the European Union, and particularly France, Belgium, the
Netherlands, and Italy, for turnover of $6.3 million, which represents some 37% of total
exports. Moroccan exports to the Maghreb Arab Union countries, mainly Algeria, were
worth $5.6 million. Overall, the Moroccan pharmaceutical industry exports around 10%
of output, a proportion that is considered very low, but the existence of underutilized
production capacity means that much larger export flows are possible. Furthermore,
industry marketing skills are tried and tested, and product quality is undisputed. There
are clearly major opportunities due to the new Pharmaceuticals Code and the free trade
agreements, so long as these developments are backed by institutional support for
marketing efforts. Morocco has significant know-how, recognized by the World Health
Organization, and that has allowed the pharmaceutical industry to take a share of the
European market. Internationally, Moroccan products are certified by numerous
European, Asian and African nations. The free trade agreements have the potential to
play a decisive role in export growth, particularly for the American market, which alone
represents half of world pharmaceuticalsales. Nevertheless, the Moroccan industry will
have to invest very heavily to raise production capacity and develop its marketing tools
in the face of strong American and international demand. Thanks to the new
Pharmaceuticals Code and its innovations, these investments should become a reality.
Morocco has significant know-how in pharmaceutical production. The multidisciplinary
nature of the Moroccanpharmaceutical industry has carried it to the number two
rankingin Africa after South Africa. Still, to become even more competitive, the industry
needs to enter into synthetics partnerships with raw materials producers. Such
partnerships may take the form of an equity stake in Moroccan laboratories and will
allow local firms to benefit from preferential raw material prices, reduced unit costs, and
increased value-added on finished products, which will then be more competitive in
world markets.

Chart - Morocco - Imports - Evolution
NCE: Pharmaceutical products - Anual FOB USD
201020112012Date050,000,000100,000,000150,000,000200,000,000250,000,000300,000,000350,000,000400,000,
000450,000,000Fob USD
FranceBelgiumUnited KingdomGermanySpainPolandItalyNetherlandsUnited StatesChinaOthers

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Table - Morocco - Imports - Evolution
NCE: Pharmaceutical products - Anual FOB USD
Date
Exports Country
2010 2011 2012
Others 14,906,459 17,225,895 14,958,836
Total 367,650,452 399,081,270 405,896,254
France 208,512,643 207,072,866 204,056,838
Belgium 41,184,948 44,314,929 67,031,314
United Kingdom 22,989,946 42,749,697 17,148,932
Germany 24,912,387 26,888,508 28,167,679
Spain 17,599,453 18,513,253 23,906,215
Poland 17,806,153 18,161,251 22,156,847
Italy 6,934,530 7,984,321 7,232,574
Netherlands 5,373,623 6,714,726 8,970,864
United States 3,841,099 4,519,352 7,665,783
China 3,589,211 4,936,472 4,600,372
Chart - Morocco - Imports - Evolution
NCE: Pharmaceutical products - Mensual FOB USD
11 - 201212 - 201201 - 201302 - 201303 - 201304 -
2013Date05,000,00010,000,00015,000,00020,000,00025,000,00030,000,00035,000,00040,000,00045,000,000Fob
USD
FranceBelgiumGermanyPolandSpainItalyNetherlandsUnited StatesUnited KingdomChinaOthers
Table - Morocco - Imports - Evolution
NCE: Pharmaceutical products - Mensual FOB USD
Date
Exports Country
11 - 2012 12 - 2012 01 - 2013 02 - 2013 03 - 2013 04 - 2013
Others 2,057,840 1,522,874 963,896 877,148 2,577,407 1,297,725
Total 36,295,796 37,646,099 31,486,083 26,964,768 42,279,256 29,024,497
France 13,394,155 15,738,220 19,962,806 14,534,953 19,978,066 16,167,363
Date
Exports Country
11 - 2012 12 - 2012 01 - 2013 02 - 2013 03 - 2013 04 - 2013
Belgium 11,474,476 13,021,595 3,515,122 4,627,980 9,590,381 4,746,477
Germany 2,126,871 1,799,125 1,272,826 2,019,987 2,287,861 2,721,042
Poland 2,058,008 1,331,493 1,751,010 1,212,617 2,959,551 1,041,501
Spain 2,076,510 1,340,102 1,749,949 1,219,099 2,448,283 1,037,108
Italy 1,116,906 223,280 698,821 915,433 779,076 201,639
Netherlands 589,072 1,214,112 692,078 562,763 255,108 602,038
United States 857,606 659,765 157,489 438,020 470,662 161,563
United Kingdom 241,817 501,248 161,926 322,812 637,179 708,780
China 302,535 294,284 560,159 233,956 295,683 339,261
Chart - Morocco - Exports - Evolution
NCE: Pharmaceutical products - Anual FOB USD
201020112012Date02,000,0004,000,0006,000,0008,000,00010,000,00012,000,00014,000,00016,000,000Fob USD
FranceBrazilBelgiumPortugalSouth AfricaSpainMaltaItalyNetherlandsUnited KingdomOthers
Table - Morocco - Exports - Evolution
NCE: Pharmaceutical products - Anual FOB USD
Date
Imports Country
2010 2011 2012
Others 63,724 172,094 5,591
Total 8,903,291 8,729,588 13,920,997
France 5,836,197 6,068,316 8,345,226
Brazil 370,274 155,141 2,645,698
Belgium 1,375,435 655,044 474,273
Portugal 834,013 350,992 318,449
South Africa 3,850 945,465 230
Spain 168,917 171,969 561,983
Malta 175,286 170,634 555,111
Italy

37,374 494,035
Netherlands 1,565 2,558 520,400
United Kingdom 74,028

Chart - Morocco - Exports - Evolution
NCE: Pharmaceutical products - Mensual FOB USD
11 - 201212 - 201201 - 201302 - 201303 - 201304 -
2013Date0200,000400,000600,000800,0001,000,0001,200,0001,400,0001,600,000Fob USD
FranceBrazilNetherlandsPortugalItalySpainMaltaBelgiumEgyptChileOthers
Table - Morocco - Exports - Evolution
NCE: Pharmaceutical products - Mensual FOB USD
Date
Imports Country
11 - 2012 12 - 2012 01 - 2013 02 - 2013 03 - 2013 04 - 2013
Others 51 26 3,112 27 567 52
Total 664,964 1,388,464 996,016 597,584 1,127,554 1,411,707
France 537,335 614,575 502,445 512,481 349,805 712,207
Brazil 115,648 402,517 147,406

588,216 453,180
Netherlands

236,414 67 56,099

112,710
Portugal

120,441 28,363 8,822 26,594
Italy

65,434 56,755

60,407

Spain 2,048 28,901 44,631 307 15,592 53,580
Malta

28,761 44,572 307 15,828 53,371
Belgium 4,777 11,835 76,587

Egypt

88,316

Chile 5,105

13
Chart - Morocco - Imports - Evolution / Exports - Evolution
NCE: Pharmaceutical products - Anual FOB USD
201020112012Date050,000,000100,000,000150,000,000200,000,000250,000,000Fob USD
ExportacionesImportaciones
Table - Morocco - Imports - Evolution / Exports - Evolution
NCE: Pharmaceutical products - Anual FOB USD
Date
Imports Country
2010 2011 2012
Exportaciones
Others 63,724 172,094 5,591
Total 8,903,291 8,729,588 13,920,997
France 5,836,197 6,068,316 8,345,226
Brazil 370,274 155,141 2,645,698
Belgium 1,375,435 655,044 474,273
Portugal 834,013 350,992 318,449
South Africa 3,850 945,465 230
Spain 168,917 171,969 561,983
Malta 175,286 170,634 555,111
Italy

37,374 494,035
Netherlands 1,565 2,558 520,400
Date
Imports Country
2010 2011 2012
Exportaciones
United Kingdom 74,028


Date
Exports Country
2010 2011 2012
Importaciones
Others 14,906,459 17,225,895 14,958,836
Total 367,650,452 399,081,270 405,896,254
France 208,512,643 207,072,866 204,056,838
Belgium 41,184,948 44,314,929 67,031,314
United Kingdom 22,989,946 42,749,697 17,148,932
Germany 24,912,387 26,888,508 28,167,679
Spain 17,599,453 18,513,253 23,906,215
Poland 17,806,153 18,161,251 22,156,847
Italy 6,934,530 7,984,321 7,232,574
Netherlands 5,373,623 6,714,726 8,970,864
United States 3,841,099 4,519,352 7,665,783
China 3,589,211 4,936,472 4,600,372
Chart - Morocco - Imports - Evolution / Exports - Evolution
NCE: Pharmaceutical products - Mensual FOB USD
11 - 201212 - 201201 - 201302 - 201303 - 201304 -
2013Date05,000,00010,000,00015,000,00020,000,00025,000,000Fob USD
ImportacionesExportaciones
Table - Morocco - Imports - Evolution / Exports - Evolution
NCE: Pharmaceutical products - Mensual FOB USD
Date
Exports Country
11 - 2012 12 - 2012 01 - 2013 02 - 2013 03 - 2013 04 - 2013
Importaciones
Others 2,057,840 1,522,874 963,896 877,148 2,577,407 1,297,725
Total 36,295,796 37,646,099 31,486,083 26,964,768 42,279,256 29,024,497
France 13,394,155 15,738,220 19,962,806 14,534,953 19,978,066 16,167,363
Belgium 11,474,476 13,021,595 3,515,122 4,627,980 9,590,381 4,746,477
Germany 2,126,871 1,799,125 1,272,826 2,019,987 2,287,861 2,721,042
Poland 2,058,008 1,331,493 1,751,010 1,212,617 2,959,551 1,041,501
Date
Exports Country
11 - 2012 12 - 2012 01 - 2013 02 - 2013 03 - 2013 04 - 2013
Importaciones
Spain 2,076,510 1,340,102 1,749,949 1,219,099 2,448,283 1,037,108
Italy 1,116,906 223,280 698,821 915,433 779,076 201,639
Netherlands 589,072 1,214,112 692,078 562,763 255,108 602,038
United States 857,606 659,765 157,489 438,020 470,662 161,563
United Kingdom 241,817 501,248 161,926 322,812 637,179 708,780
China 302,535 294,284 560,159 233,956 295,683 339,261

Date
Imports Country
11 - 2012 12 - 2012 01 - 2013 02 - 2013 03 - 2013 04 - 2013
Exportaciones
Others 51 26 3,112 27 567 52
Total 664,964 1,388,464 996,016 597,584 1,127,554 1,411,707
France 537,335 614,575 502,445 512,481 349,805 712,207
Brazil 115,648 402,517 147,406

588,216 453,180
Netherlands

236,414 67 56,099

112,710
Portugal

120,441 28,363 8,822 26,594
Italy

65,434 56,755

60,407

Spain 2,048 28,901 44,631 307 15,592 53,580
Malta

28,761 44,572 307 15,828 53,371
Belgium 4,777 11,835 76,587

Egypt

88,316

Chile 5,105

13


Algeria
Pharmaceutical products imported by Algeria in 2012 according to the National Center for Informatics
and Statistics increased by 16.86% compared to 2011. There is a major issue with this, however. With
local firms unable to meet demand, the potential of a shortfall is a reality. And so the Ministry of Health is
looking to form partnerships with international firms so it can rectify the situation. Research reveals the
Ministrys aim is for 70% domestic coverage by 2014.
-Headline expenditure projections: US$ 3.8bn in 2012; +10.2% comparing with 2011
-Forecast pharmaceutical consumption: Growth to US$ 4.22bn by 2014, equivalent to a compound annual
growth rate (CAGR) of 12.55%
-The Algerian pharmaceutical business is in important need of investment. Pharmaceuticals now account
for 0.008% of all exports but 4.5% of all imports. Algerias import substitution legislation means drugs
that can be manufactured in the country cannot be imported. Despite this, local firms are unable to meet
local demand, leaving the market at risk of shortages, a situation several news reports have stated is
becoming increasingly common. Currently, Algeria is not under pressure to diversify its exports due to its
total trade surplus as a result of oil exports. However, the local industrys generic focus means it has
immense potential to increase these exports.
-Algerian drug makers are set to face increasing competition from firms in neighboring Tunisia, which are
increasing capacity, expanding and exporting to other African markets. This ramping up of exports in
Tunisia could not come at a worse time for Algeria, with local manufacturers unable to meet even local
demand. While the local market remains under-fulfilled, opportunities for local manufacturers may arise
given the lack of any substantial government policies to promote and invest in the Algerian
pharmaceutical sector. Tunisia will be more likely to attract foreign direct investment (FDI).
-According to Slim Belkessam, former adviser to the minister of health, domestic production meets 30
percent of Algerias pharmaceutical requirements, with the remaining 70 percent provided for by imports,
which cost around $2 billion a year. We want to reduce the import bill, promote local production, create
jobs and ensure transfer of technology to some specific products, Belkessam told.
-Algeria revealed a target of 70% coverage of its needs by 2014, up from its current 38%, by working
closer and partnering with international firms. To achieve these objectives, governments in North Africa
have been increasingly promoting the use and production of generic medicine.
-Under the governments new policy, international firms wishing to export medical products to Algeria
must invest in the domestic pharmaceutical industry by setting up production or research facilities within
two years of obtaining an import license.
-The increase in the drug bill during last year is attributed to significant quantities imported between June
and October by the 60 dealers in the domestic market, market sources conveyed. For 2012, the import
programs of pharmaceutical products have been issued to 69 operators.
-To overcome the many shortcomings of the domestic market and better organize the sector, the
Algerian Ministry of Health has set up new pharmaceutical supply establishments, designed to ensure the
full and sustained availability of drugs.
-The Algerian administration signed a letter of intent with a number of US firms aimed at bringing much
needed investment to the countrys pharmaceutical and healthcare sector in areas such as technology
transfer, research and development and direct investments.
-The provision of prescription drugs and over-the-counter (OTC) health products is big business in
Algeria. According to Rachid Zaounai, the general director of the public pharmaceuticals company Saidal,
the market is expected to be worth an estimated $US 8 billion by 2015.
Morocco and Tunisia
The Moroccan and Tunisian pharmaceutical markets have undergone significant change in the last 2
years. Tunisia produces US$ 240 million of pharmaceuticals, accounting for 45% of domestic products.
The government wants to double this figure by boosting local manufacturing by 2016. Moroccos Ministry
of Health has substantially increased its pharmaceuticals budget. Domestic production currently meets
70% of their requirements, and market value is expected to reach US$ 1.88 billion in 2013.
-The pharmaceutical market in the region is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 9.5% by 2014.
-By 2014 generic drugs will form 27.7% of the total drug market, with patented medicines still
dominating at 44.5%
-Patented drugs in Morocco cost locals up to 189% more than in Tunisia. Even in developed countries
such as France, prices for patented medicines can be 70% lower than in Morocco. However, Morocco is a
major regional player where local production covers 70% of the kingdoms needs.
-It is expected the drug market in Morocco to increase in value to US$ 1.88bn in 2013, representing a
compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.5% in US dollar terms. The strong development of the sector
is linked to an expanding economy and a growing middle class, both of which will underpin increased
drug spending. The global financial crisis has not hit Morocco with the same force experienced in other
countries in the world, which bodes well for pharmaceutical sector.
-The Moroccan Minister of Health, Yasmina Baddou, announced that country hopes to boost sales
through new health legislation, by encouraging doctors to prescribe generics and readjusting profits for
pharmacists.
-With life expectancy growing in Morocco, the number of elderly people dependent on social security is
increasing and could reach US$ 5.8 million by 2030. Meanwhile, high drug prices and a lack of generic
penetration are having an inflationary impact on health spending.
-According to its Ministry of Health, Tunisia produces US$ 240 million worth of pharmaceuticals,
accounting for 45% of domestically available products. The government hopes to bring this figure to US$
480 million by boosting local manufacturing to cover at least 60% of the countrys needs by 2016.
-Tunisia exports around 7% of its production. Libya, Algeria, Morocco and France are the biggest
recipients of Tunisian medicines, accounting for 75% of the total export. Country expects the export
value to reach US$ 150 million by 2016.
-The Tunisian government is also considering the introduction of mandatory health insurance to boost
access to medicine and consumption.