THE ongoing US-Iran war has disrupted the production and supply of life-saving medicines and crucial infant milk formula in Pakistan, highlighting the weaknesses in preparedness, governance and policy planning.

This situation has caused significant distress among the people, as shortages and the country’s inability to produce these products domestically have led to skyrocketing prices and huge inconvenience to a majority of the population.

The government did not have a policy to ensure smooth supplies of essential medicines nor a mechanism to control prices, said Mohammad Atif Hanif Baloch, President of the Wholesale Chemists Council of Pakistan. “If the war in Gulf countries continues, prices of all medicines could rise dramatically, including cancer, diabetes, insulin and heart medications. The war could also cause a severe shortage of baby formula, which is entirely imported, along with a sharp price increase,” he said. “Most of these medicines are used by low-income populations.”

The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has sounded an alarm over the availability of........

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