Supplies of medicines, infant formula and vaccines likely to be affected by ongoing Gulf war
KARACHI:
The ongoing conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States has disrupted Pakistani imports of life-saving and essential medicines, raw materials for pharmaceutical production, infant formula and various vaccines due to the suspension of international flights.
If the war drags on, importers warn that Pakistan could face serious shortages of medicines and vaccines, which could lead to a dramatic increase in drug prices.
Additionally, following rising gasoline prices due to the conflict, the prices of medicines and other essential goods have increased unofficially, putting even more pressure on already struggling citizens. Health care has become largely unaffordable for the public, and increased inflation could endanger patients’ lives.
Pakistan has been unable to produce raw materials for medicines locally even after 70 years of independence. As the conflict spreads to Gulf countries, raw materials that normally pass through Dubai now face import difficulties.
Pakistan’s stock of pharmaceutical raw materials is only enough for one and a half months. Additionally, medicines that were previously smuggled from Iran are currently unavailable.
Health experts warn that Pakistani workers returning from Gulf countries due to the war will put additional pressure on domestic health facilities. In Pakistan, infant formula is mainly imported and a prolonged conflict could lead to a serious shortage.
Mohammad Atif Hanif Baloch, chairman of Pakistan Pharmacy Wholesalers Council, revealed that the prices of life-saving medicines have increased unofficially over the past two years.
“If the war continues in the Gulf countries, the prices of all medicines could rise dramatically, including those for cancer, diabetes, insulin and heart medications. The war could also cause a serious shortage of infant formula, which is entirely imported, as well as a sharp increase in prices.
“Many essential medicines are already seeing their prices increase every two months, and there is currently no strategy to control these prices. Most of these drugs are used by low-income populations, and essential treatments such as chemotherapy injections, heart medications and insulin have already doubled in price,” Baloch noted.
Abdul Samad Budhani, president of the Pakistan Chemists and Drugs Association, said Pakistan’s stock of medicines was currently only enough for two months.
“If the conflict continues, the logistics of medicines, infant formula and raw materials will be disrupted, which will likely lead to an increase in prices. Currently, 55-60 percent of pharmaceutical raw materials are imported from India and 40-45 percent from China,” Budhani said.
Senior Pharmacist Dr Usman Ghani explained that vaccines are considered life-saving medicines. “Globally, vaccines were initially preventative, but are now increasingly used for therapeutic purposes. Some vaccines come from specific countries and the ongoing war between Iran, Israel and the United States has disrupted imports, which could cause shortages in Pakistan.
“Even WHO-qualified vaccines may not reach Pakistan if the conflict continues. Raw materials needed for drug production pass through Gulf countries, and a prolonged conflict would seriously affect imports and the supply chain,” Dr Ghani said.
Former Karachi health director Dr Akram Sultan noted that the conflict could seriously disrupt imports of medicines, raw materials and vaccines.
“Pakistan currently has no strategy to produce pharmaceutical raw materials domestically. The government has not been able to establish a pharmacopoeia and local pharmaceutical companies are not focused on producing raw materials.
“If the government implements third-party procurement of raw materials from India, it will increase the prices of medicines as raw materials from other countries are cheaper and more easily available,” Dr Sultan said.
