Russia is making significant strides in expanding its pharmaceutical trade with Morocco, as the kingdom emerges as one of the leading African buyers of Russian medical products, Interfax reported.
At the first ever ministerial conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum that is being held in Sochi, Russia, Russia’s Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, Yekaterina Priyezzheva, said on Saturday that Russian pharmaceutical products are now reaching over 150 countries worldwide. In 2023 alone, Russia supplied over USD 72 million worth of pharmaceutical goods to Africa, with Morocco ranking high among its key trading partners.
The range of medical products includes critical supplies like the yellow fever vaccine, medicines for infectious diseases, antiviral and antibacterial drugs, as well as innovative treatments for chronic conditions such as cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.
Such cooperation should benefit Morocco’s healthcare system, offering essential medications that address some of the nation’s most pressing public health needs.
Russia’s pharmaceutical industry is positioning itself as a global leader in providing advanced medical technologies.
Priyezzheva highlighted that Russian manufacturers are also offering essential medical equipment, such as neonatal incubators, which are crucial for Morocco’s newborn baby intensive care units (ICUs).
As Morocco continues to develop its healthcare infrastructure, the growing partnership with Russia offers a promising opportunity for both nations. Russia’s involvement in Africa is deepening, and these medical collaborations signal a strategic shift toward mutual growth in health and innovation.
The partnership will not only strengthen Morocco’s medical supplies but also showcase Russia’s readiness to increase its role in global healthcare, particularly in Africa.
To develop anticancer medications in Morocco, the Russian laboratory Biocad and Sothema Laboratories formed an agreement in Moscow in 2016. The collaboration between the two labs was not the first. For example, Biocad and Sothema have already signed a number of contracts, specifically for the supply of anti-hepatitis C medications.
The business has spent 13,553 million rubles on developing anti-cancer and anti-hepatitis C medications. In 2015, its sales exceeded 10 billion rubles.
In the spring of 2021, Morocco placed an order for one million doses of the Russian vaccine Sputnik V in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Priezzheva told TASS in early August that Russia had shipped more than USD 62 million worth of pharmaceuticals to Africa in 2022, and one of the top five largest importers was Morocco.