An analysis of the Moroccan pharmaceutical market was carried out in order to assess whether the expiration of the patent on an originator drug and the subsequent introduction of the equivalent generic drug was followed by an increase in consumption within the same class of anti-asthmatic drugs.

During the study period, 1999–2010, the number of Daily Defined Doses (DDDs) per 1,000 inhabitants per day (DID) increased from 3.91 to 14.47 DIDs (or by 370%). During this period, however, the share of generic anti-asthma drugs declined from 47% in 1999 to 23% in 2010.

One reason for this decrease in the share of generic anti-asthma drugs was attributed to the fact that in 2006 a Compulsory Health Insurance (named AMO) increased the percentage of the population covered by the Agence Nationale de l’Assurance Maladie (ANAM) scheme. This meant that patients could afford to buy the expensive new molecules, including the long-acting β2-agonist- inhaled corticosteroid (LABA-IC) combinations, as these were now reimbursed. In 2009, more than 2,500 drugs were refundable (about 60% of the drugs on the Moroccan market), with 69.5% of anti-asthmatic drugs being refundable.

Despite the introduction of the AMO in 2006 and the involvement of the state in promoting generics, the share of anti-asthmatic generics remained limited during the study period. To address this it has been suggested that reimbursement for drugs in Morocco be made on the basis of a reference price and that drugs that exceed the reference price by more than 30% should not be reimbursed. This would therefore reduce the use of expensive originator drugs when a generic equivalent is on the market.

These measures, along with an information campaign, should result in the promotion of generics and in a reduction in the price of more than 40%.

Conflict of interest
The authors of the research paper [1] declared that there were no conflicts of interest.

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Reference
1. Ghanname I, Ahid S, Berrada G, Belaiche A, Hassar M, Cherrah Y. Factors influencing anti-asthmatic generic drug consumption in Morocco: 1999-2010. Springerplus. 2014;3:192.

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