Pakistan has three-month medicine stock despite Middle East tensions, DRAP says

Pakistan has sufficient stocks of essential medicines for up to three months despite concerns over supply disruptions linked to the ongoing Middle East crisis, according to the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP).

As per reports, fears of shortages have emerged amid rising treatment costs and reports of possible supply chain disruptions, while authorities have also warned of attempts by some elements to exploit the situation through black-market activity.

DRAP said it does not anticipate any immediate increase in medicine prices, adding that alternative supply routes are being explored to ensure uninterrupted access to raw materials.

Pakistan relies heavily on imported Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), a significant portion of which transit through Middle Eastern routes, making the supply chain vulnerable to regional instability.

A health ministry official said manufacturers typically maintain limited raw material inventories due to financial constraints, which could expose the market to shortages if global supply chains are disrupted.

The official added that rising fuel prices have increased freight and insurance costs for shipments via Gulf routes, prompting coordination between the government, DRAP and industry stakeholders to monitor stock levels and maintain supply.

Industry representatives, however, said the situation remains stable for now. The Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PPMA) said raw material stocks are sufficient for approximately three months and that efforts are underway to secure alternative supply chains.

Pharmaceutical companies also said there are currently adequate supplies of essential medicines and expressed concern over misinformation that could trigger hoarding or black-market practices.

DRAP said its assessment of leading manufacturers shows that roughly half of the available stock is in finished form, while the remainder is held as raw material.

The regulator added that while many APIs are imported from China, about 15% pass through Gulf countries, exposing a portion of the supply to regional disruptions.

Medicines for rare diseases, which are not widely produced locally, are imported from countries including the UAE, Singapore and Turkiye, according to DRAP.

The authority said vaccine supplies are sufficient for around two months and that all trade routes, except those affected in the Gulf, remain operational.

Healthcare professionals warned that any disruption in medicine availability could have immediate consequences for patients with chronic conditions.

They said patients with diabetes, hypertension and chronic liver disease rely on continuous access to medication, and even short interruptions could lead to complications, including uncontrolled blood sugar, increased cardiovascular risk and deterioration in liver function.

Authorities said monitoring mechanisms are in place, including a complaint system for patients facing shortages of rare disease medicines, as part of efforts to maintain continuity of supply.