Growing tensions and possible conflict involving Iran, Israel and the US, along with disruptions to air operations in the Middle East, have raised fears of shortages of life-saving medicines, vaccines, insulin and infant milk in Pakistan.
According to reports, the government has not yet shared clear details about how much stock of medicines, vaccines and infant formula is currently available in the country. Health experts say the situation could become serious if the conflict expands and continues to affect global transport and supply routes.
Experts warn that a wider war could place severe pressure on the medical sector and may threaten human lives if the supply of essential medicines is disrupted. According to Express News, the situation could also worsen the country’s already fragile economic conditions.
A vaccine import expert said Pakistan does not manufacture vaccines for patients locally and relies entirely on imports. The suspension or disruption of international flights has already started affecting the import of medicines, vaccines and other essential medical supplies.
Dr Rafiq Khanani, president of the Pakistan Infection Society, said the developing situation in the Gulf region had begun to create negative effects for Pakistan as air operations in several countries face disruptions.
He warned that if petroleum shortages emerge due to the conflict, both imports and the local transportation of medicines and other essential goods could face temporary suspension. Such disruptions could lead to sharp price increases, making treatment even harder for poorer patients.
Dr Khanani said the country could also face shortages of infant milk if the crisis deepens. He added that ports often face disruptions during wartime, which could further affect supply chains.
He explained that Pakistan is not self-sufficient in producing the raw materials used in medicines. While around 70 to 80 percent of medicines are manufactured locally, the raw materials used in them are imported from other countries.
According to him, even after decades the country has not developed the ability to produce pharmaceutical raw materials or vaccines on its own. If more countries become involved in the conflict, imports of raw materials, vaccines and infant formula could face serious disruption, leading to shortages of life-saving medicines in the market.
Dr Khanani warned that there is concern the country could face a situation similar to the shortages seen during the Covid-19 pandemic.
He also noted that conflicts often force Pakistani workers abroad to return home, which can increase pressure on the country’s healthcare system.
Cancer medicines could also become scarce, he said, as many of these drugs are brought into the country through personal baggage. With flight disruptions affecting travel, the supply of such medicines may decline.
Senior pharmacist Dr Usman Ghani said vaccines are among the most important life-saving medical products. He explained that vaccines were once mainly used for prevention, but new therapeutic vaccines are now also being developed and used worldwide.
He said Pakistan imports vaccines from several countries, and any disruption caused by a wider conflict could create serious shortages.
Dr Ghani added that even vaccines qualified by the World Health Organisation may struggle to reach Pakistan if the war affects global transport routes.
He warned that the situation in the Gulf region is becoming increasingly risky, and Pakistan depends on supply routes through those countries for the raw materials used in pharmaceutical production. If the conflict continues for a long period, the import system and supply chains could be severely disrupted.
He added that some vaccines and medical serums are sourced from specific regions, which means any disruption there could quickly affect their availability in Pakistan.
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