Iran war raises risk of drug shortages

The Swedish Medicines Agency has warned that the war in the Middle East could threaten the availability of medicines in Europe, according to Euractiv. While no immediate supply shortfall has been recorded, rising fuel prices and a possible escalation of the conflict are raising concerns about future developments.

Pharmaceutical products are imported into Sweden by various means. Sensitive medicines and vaccines are often transported by air, while generic medicines and active substances are mainly shipped by sea. Due to the unrest in the Red Sea, vessels are being rerouted around Africa, extending transport times by around two weeks and increasing costs.

Experts warn of a potential domino effect. Higher fuel prices may drive up transport costs, fuel inflation and affect imports of medicines, particularly generics, which operate on low margins.

The pace and scale of price increases – rather than the duration of the conflict itself – will be decisive, according to Kenneth Nyblom, director general of the Generic and Biosimilars Association in Sweden.

‘In contrast, the large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine had a significant and relatively rapid impact, even though almost no medicines came from Syria, Ukraine or Russia. The cause was indirect effects, i.e. inflation,’ he said.

A more serious scenario envisages the fighting spreading to the Suez Canal region, which could disrupt global supply chains, including raw materials and packaging for the pharmaceutical industry.

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