Drug Prices in Kabul Rise Up to 40% After Taliban Order to Halt Imports from Pakistan
Three months after Taliban economic deputy Abdul Ghani Baradar ordered Afghan merchants to end drug imports from Pakistan and find alternative routes, prices for medicines in Kabul have increased by up to 40 percent.
Official trade has halted, with many drugs now entering via smuggling routes, according to pharmacy officials in Kabul interviewed by Afghanistan International. One pharmacy owner said: "Many drugs have become scarce, and patients, families, and medical staff are facing problems."
Specific price hikes include Cosome-E syrup, a cough suppressant and immune booster used for cold and respiratory infection symptoms, rising from 27 afghanis to 65 afghanis. Ventolin (Salbutamol+Guaiphenesin), a bronchodilator for asthma and breathing issues, increased from 33 afghanis to 65 afghanis and is scarce in many pharmacies. Trimetabol syrup (150ml), used for infections and immune support, went from 53 afghanis to 85 afghanis. AGexi-Clav antibiotic (625mg) for moderate to severe bacterial infections rose from 50 afghanis to 75 afghanis.
Another pharmacist noted that no other country has replaced Pakistan's quick and cheap supply channel.
In November, Baradar instructed importers to settle all Pakistan contracts within three months and seek alternatives, warning that closed border crossings were harming markets and ordinary people. Taliban officials have since visited India, Turkey, Iran, and Central Asian countries, but no solution has lowered prices.
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