Drugmakers in the U.S. have found it difficult enough to deliver consistent supplies of some drugs. Imagine how tough it would be if pharma plants were operating in a war zone.
Actually, you don't have to imagine. You just have to look at Syria. As Reuters reports, many of the country's drug manufacturers have simply shut down. And because some 90% of Syria's drug supply had been produced domestically, lots of key medicines are now scarce.
Most of the country's pharma plants are in rural provinces--Aleppo, Homs, and Damascus--and they've been heavily damaged in the fighting, a WHO spokesman told the news service. "Many of these plants have now closed down as a result of the ongoing clashes and increased cost of fuel, resulting in a critical shortage of medicines," spokesman Tarik Jasarevic said.
Among the scarce drugs are treatments for tuberculosis, hepatitis, high blood pressure, diabetes and cancer.
- read the Reuters piece
Related Articles:
Saudi Arabia continues to beckon Big Pharma
Glaxo grabs Bristol's Middle East unit
Pfizer on lookout for Middle East deals