Middle East war threatens supply of cancer drugs

The war in the Middle East is beginning to threaten the supply of vital medicines needed by hospitals to treat patients with serious conditions. The closure of air hubs in Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi has disrupted key routes used to transport medicines into the region, including cancer drugs that require strict refrigeration.

Pharmaceutical companies are therefore rerouting shipments through Saudi Arabia, Oman or Istanbul and transporting part of the cargo over land. However, such solutions prolong transit times and increase the risk that sensitive medications will not arrive in optimal conditions.

According to experts, hospitals are not yet experiencing a significant shortage, as supplies typically last about three months. At the same time, however, there are warnings that if the conflict persists the situation could change rapidly.

Some healthcare facilities are already warning that their supplies of critical medicines – especially oncology drugs – could begin to run out within four to six weeks.

(Reuters, pir)