Pakistan Faces Drug Crisis: US-Iran Conflict Disrupts Life-Saving Medicine Supplies

Pakistan Faces Drug Crisis: US-Iran Conflict Disrupts Life-Saving Medicine Supplies​

New Delhi, April 18 - The escalating US-Iran conflict has exposed critical gaps in Pakistan’s healthcare preparedness, severely disrupting supplies of life-saving medicines and essential infant milk formulas. A recent report details how this supply shock is causing acute shortages and sharp increases in pricing across the nation.

The crisis is creating significant distress for patients who rely on critical drugs and imported nutritional products. Mohammad Atif Hanif Baloch, President of the Wholesale Chemists Council of Pakistan, highlighted the need for immediate policy intervention.

He stated that the government lacks a clear mechanism to ensure uninterrupted availability of essential medicines or to effectively control price inflation. According to Baloch, if the Gulf region conflict continues, prices for specialized medicines, including those for cancer, diabetes, insulin, and heart diseases, could rise sharply.

Acute Dependency on Global Supply Chains​

The pharma sector's vulnerability is intrinsically linked to its heavy reliance on foreign sources. Pakistan imports a vast majority of both finished drugs and the raw materials required, known as Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs).

Industry estimates indicate that nearly 90 per cent of APIs are sourced through Gulf ports, making the supply chain highly susceptible to geopolitical disruptions. The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has flagged serious concerns over medicine availability as global supply chains fracture.

Concerns Over Domestic Pharmaceutical Manufacturing​

Experts caution that the current failure to develop robust domestic API production poses a major systemic risk. Dr Akram Sultan, a former health official, noted that Pakistan currently lacks an effective strategy to produce pharmaceutical raw materials locally.

He added that inadequate private sector investment in this crucial area threatens the availability of essential medicines, vaccines, and raw materials. This inability to self-sustain key production steps could severely impact the country’s medical response capacity.

Critical Stock Levels and Policy Bottlenecks​

The immediate resource situation is dire, with a Health Ministry official warning that existing medicine stocks may not last beyond two months if supply disruptions persist.

Industry bodies have also pinpointed significant policy bottlenecks contributing to the crisis. Delays in price approvals, among other administrative hurdles, are cited as major constraints hindering the country’s ability to respond quickly.

Impact on Vulnerable Patient Groups​

The shortage extends beyond general medicines, affecting highly specialized and critical areas of care. The Pakistan Medical Association has raised alarms regarding essential paediatric tuberculosis medicines.

Disruptions are already impacting patients undergoing complex treatments, including cardiac, cancer, and transplant care. Furthermore, the shortage of entirely imported infant formula means the resulting burden will fall disproportionately on low-income groups.

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