Islamabad: The economic crisis in Pakistan is also affecting the health sector. It is reported that people are scrambling for essential medicines. Due to shortage of foreign exchange reserves, it is not possible to import medicines from other countries. Pakistan is also currently unable to import pharmaceutical materials used in the domestic manufacture of drugs.
As local drug manufacturers have temporarily stopped production, patients are suffering from lack of medicines. Due to non-availability of medicines and other medical supplies, doctors are postponing even surgery. Pakistani media reported that the anesthetic drugs required for critical surgeries like heart, cancer, kidney etc. will be in stock for at least two more weeks. Availability of drugs like insulin, disprin and panadol is decreasing.
It is estimated that if the situation continues like this, the work of the hospital workers will also be affected. It may add to the hardships of the people.
95 percent of Pakistan’s pharmaceutical production depends on raw materials from countries like India and China. But due to shortage of dollars, most of the drug manufacturers’ imported materials are held up at the Karachi port.
Similarly, drug manufacturing companies say that the cost of manufacturing drugs is also increasing due to the increase in fuel prices, increase in transportation costs and the fall in the value of the Pakistani rupee.
The Pakistan Medical Association has demanded that the government intervene before the current situation turns into a major disaster. But reports say that there has been no significant intervention from the side of the government so far.
English Summary: Pakistan Hospitals Running Out Of Insulin, Disprin, Other Medicines