Rabat — Morocco’s Pharma 5 Laboratories has rolled out the first-ever generic drug made from cannabis to treat epilepsy. The drug is designed to meet international health standards and offers a more affordable option for many patients.
There are around 400,000 people with epilepsy in Morocco. Pharma 5 saw the market opportunity and invested MAD 250 million ($25 million) to develop the first made-in-Morocco cannabidiol (CBD). This development is a game-changer since the generic drug “Epidyolex” costs over MAD 10 thousand ($1,000).
Mia Lahlu Filali, General Manager of Pharma 5, told SNRT News that “this is a huge step in reducing our reliance on expensive imported drugs.”
Pharma 5 ensures that the CBD used in the medication is produced to the highest standards, overseeing everything from eco-friendly farming to the final drug production.
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The Directorate of Medicines and Pharmacy, and the National Agency for the Regulation of Cannabis (ANRAC) commented on the news, saying that this CBD treatment will help people in Morocco and beyond.
The new cannabis drug is considered a big win not just for Morocco but also for the sprouting cannabis industry.
Morocco has recently shaken up its cannabis laws. The country has long been known for cannabis cultivation in the Rif Mountains and has made it legal to farm cannabis for medical and industrial use only.
King Mohammed VI pardoned 5,000 farmers convicted of growing cannabis illegally, giving them a chance to join the legal market. The government has also passed new laws, and now over 3,000 farmers have licenses to grow cannabis in areas like Chefchaouen and Taounate.
Experts predict Morocco could rake in $600 million a year by meeting just a slice of Europe’s cannabis demand.
