Residents of Kandahar told Afghanistan International on Friday, May 29, that following the suspension of trade and transit, particularly the Taliban’s ban on importing Pakistani medicines, the pharmaceutical market in the province had been severely affected.
They said that although medicines were previously widely available, prices have now surged while the quality of available drugs has declined.
Several pharmacists in Kandahar city said that after trade with Pakistan was halted, medicine imports dropped significantly and many traders were forced to smuggle pharmaceuticals into the country through unofficial routes.
One pharmacist in Kandahar, who asked not to be named, told Afghanistan International: “Previously, most medicines were imported regularly from Pakistan. But now the routes are closed, taxes have increased and imports have fallen. Some medicines cannot be found at all, and if they are available, their prices have multiplied.”
He added that in recent months, medicines for colds, fever, infections, diabetes, blood pressure and children’s illnesses have become scarce. Panadol, Brufen, Augmentin, amoxicillin, insulin, blood pressure medicines, IV fluids, children’s antibiotic syrups, asthma inhalers and heart medications are among the drugs now difficult to obtain and significantly more expensive.
Some pharmacists said medicines that used to cost between 100 and 150 Afghanis before the import restrictions are now selling for between 300 and 400 Afghanis.
Aziz Ahmad, a resident of Kandahar, said the rise in medicine prices had created serious problems for ordinary people, especially as many families were already struggling financially because of the economic crisis.
Rahmatullah, a diabetic patient, said: “I used to buy insulin cheaply, but now it is difficult to find and much more expensive. Because of financial problems, rising prices and shortages, I sometimes cannot obtain all the medicines prescribed by the doctor. Usually, I only buy the most essential ones.”
Residents say children’s medicines have also become scarce. Families with financial means can still seek treatment for their children, but many others cannot afford it.
Several pharmaceutical traders and health sources said large quantities of Pakistani medicines have recently entered Afghanistan through smuggling routes since trade with Pakistan was suspended.
According to them, some of these medicines reached the market through illegal channels, while others were confiscated and burned by the Taliban.
Health officials warn that smuggled medicines are often substandard, improperly stored, close to expiry and generally of poor quality.
Healthcare services in Afghanistan were already under pressure due to economic difficulties, unemployment and falling household incomes, but the medicine crisis has further worsened the situation.
Munir Ahmad, a doctor in Kandahar, said: “When medicines are prescribed to patients, many cannot obtain what they need because of high prices and shortages.” He added that as a result, many patients fail to complete their treatment.
The doctor said patients with chronic illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and asthma have been affected the most.
Some residents and pharmacists say the authorities have so far failed to take serious practical measures to control medicine prices or address the shortages.
Following the ban on Pakistani medicine imports, Taliban officials entered talks with India, Iran and Uzbekistan to address the problem. Ministers for health and trade travelled to India and Iran to discuss pharmaceutical imports.
Health analysts say Afghanistan remains heavily dependent on imported medicines, and if trade problems with Pakistan continue, the pharmaceutical market will suffer even greater damage.
They stress that official medicine imports must be facilitated, effective price control mechanisms established, the entry of smuggled and low-quality medicines prevented, domestic pharmaceutical production supported and urgent measures taken to resolve the crisis.
