The escalating conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States has significantly disrupted Pakistan’s medicine import, pharmaceutical raw materials, baby formula, and vaccines due to the suspension of international flights. If the conflict persists, experts warn that Pakistan may face severe shortages of medicines and vaccines, leading to a dramatic increase in drug prices.
Following a rise in petrol prices attributed to the conflict, the costs of medicines and essential goods have surged unofficially, further straining the financially burdened population. Healthcare has become increasingly unaffordable, and additional inflation could pose a threat to patients’ lives.
Despite over seventy years of independence, Pakistan has yet to establish domestic production of pharmaceutical raw materials. With the conflict spreading to Gulf countries, imports via Dubai are facing significant challenges. Current stocks of pharmaceutical raw materials in Pakistan are estimated to last only one and a half months. Furthermore, medicines previously smuggled from Iran are now unavailable.
Healthcare experts have raised concerns that the return of Pakistani workers from Gulf countries due to the conflict will exert additional pressure on domestic health facilities. Baby formula, predominantly imported, could face severe shortages if the conflict continues. Mohammad Atif Hanif Baloch, president of the Wholesale Chemists Council of Pakistan, reported that prices of life-saving medicines have been rising unofficially over the past two years.
Abdul Samad Budhani, chairman of the Pakistan Chemist & Drug Association, indicated that Pakistan’s current medicine stock is sufficient for only two months. He noted that if the conflict continues, logistics for medicines, baby formula, and raw materials will be disrupted, likely leading to further price increases. Currently, 55-60 percent of pharmaceutical raw materials are imported from India, and 40-45 percent from China.
Senior Pharmacist Dr. Usman Ghani emphasized that vaccines, considered life-saving medicines, are now increasingly used therapeutically. The ongoing conflict has disrupted imports, potentially causing shortages in Pakistan. Even WHO-qualified vaccines may not reach the country if the conflict continues. Dr. Ghani highlighted that raw materials for medicine production, which transit through Gulf countries, would be severely affected by prolonged conflict.
Former director of health Karachi, Dr. Akram Sultan, noted the absence of a domestic strategy for producing pharmaceutical raw materials. He suggested that third-party procurement from India could increase medicine prices, as raw materials from other countries are cheaper and more accessible.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, March 9, 2026
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