New Delhi, March 13: Pakistan is experiencing a severe shortage of essential medications due to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. A recent report indicates that the import of pharmaceutical raw materials and other critical supplies has been significantly disrupted.
According to The Express Tribune, the current stock of pharmaceutical raw materials in Pakistan is only sufficient for about a month and a half.
The ongoing tensions between Iran, Israel, and the United States have led to the grounding of several international flights. This has adversely affected Pakistan’s ability to import life-saving medications, pharmaceutical ingredients, and baby formula.
The report warns that this situation could have serious consequences for ordinary Pakistanis, who are already grappling with high inflation and expensive healthcare services. If prices rise or availability decreases due to this shortage, patients suffering from chronic illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease may be particularly affected. Many of these patients rely on the country’s public healthcare system.
The report also highlights that children’s nutrition could be impacted, as baby formula is primarily imported, and prolonged disruptions could lead to a decrease in supply.
Experts have long expressed concern over Pakistan’s dependence on imported pharmaceutical ingredients. During the COVID-19 pandemic, specialists warned about the country’s limited capacity to produce active pharmaceutical ingredients and highlighted the risks of excessive reliance on inexpensive imports.
However, the report states that little progress has been made in strengthening local production capabilities. This has left the country vulnerable to global supply chain disruptions. The report argues that the current situation illustrates the risks of depending on short-term import solutions without developing domestic manufacturing capacities.
It urges the government to consider pharmaceutical self-sufficiency as a matter of national security. Recommended actions include providing tax incentives for local raw material production, investing in pharmaceutical infrastructure, and establishing emergency stockpiling mechanisms.
Without such measures, the report warns that prolonged disruptions in the global supply chain could severely impact access to life-saving medications for millions in the country.
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My name is Narendra Jijhontiya. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including TECHNOLOGY, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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