The city of Guelmim hosted the first pharmaceutical days last weekend with the participation of a host of health professionals, pharmacists' bodies, and representatives of civil society, who debated the situation of the health sector in the region.

Held under the banner "The impact of the new drug policy on the pharmacist and the citizen," this day was an opportunity for professionals in the pharmaceutical sector in this region to discuss the new developments that this sector is experiencing.

Thus, these days, organised by the Regional Union of Pharmacists in collaboration with the regional health delegation and the southern regional council of the Order of Physicians, constitute an opportunity to discuss current topics of interest to pharmacy on scientific and socio-economic levels and the current situation of the pharmaceutical sector in the Guelmim-Smara region.

According to a press release from the organisers, these days are an opportunity to initiate a deep reflection on how the new drug policy can serve to guarantee equitable access for citizens to medicines and to defend the interests of the body of pharmacists, in the wake of the profound socio-economic changes that the Kingdom is experiencing. And to add that this first edition contributed to the efforts for the strengthening of continuing education for the benefit of pharmacists. Several conferences were held during these days, which addressed a multitude of themes such as: "Right to health and facilitation of access to medicines," "Eye diseases and diabetes," and "Rheumatism in children." And during which the participants called for redoubling efforts to face the phenomenon of "street vendors" of pharmaceutical products that is proliferating in many Moroccan cities, in order to ensure more protection for patients.

This event, which is part of a continuing education programme for the benefit of medical and paramedical staff in the region, was marked by the presence of specialists and experts, particularly in the health, veterinary, higher education, and research fields from the Guelmim-Smara region as well as from Rabat and Casablanca.