Kabul (Monitoring Desk): A severe shortage of medicines in Afghanistan is forcing patients to rely on smuggled drugs, posing serious risks to children, pregnant women, and individuals with chronic illnesses.
According to Afghan newspaper Hasht-e-Subh, the closure of the Torkham border and restrictions on importing medicines from Pakistan have led to a surge in illegal and smuggled drugs. These medicines are now available not only in pharmacies but also at roadside shops.
Health experts warn that there is no effective system to check the quality of these drugs, and storage conditions do not meet medical standards, reducing treatment effectiveness. Residents of Kabul reported that medicines no longer provide the same relief, while financial pressures have increased.
The demand for smuggled medicines has grown since the halt of imports from Pakistan, leading to an increase in smuggling. These drugs are relatively cheap and highly profitable, but quality control is nonexistent, and storage conditions are often inadequate. Some medicines remain in containers exposed to extreme heat or cold for several days yet are still sold.
Tensions have kept the Torkham border closed, and the Afghan Taliban government has halted medicine imports. In response, Afghan authorities are attempting to import medicines from India and Iran, with the Health Minister and Deputy Minister visiting both countries for this purpose.
Experts caution that smuggled drugs are often expired or stored improperly, increasing the risk of ineffectiveness or harm. Children, pregnant women, and chronically ill patients are particularly vulnerable, and uncontrolled use of antibiotics could increase resistance. If the trend continues, Afghanistan may face a major public health crisis.
