BEIRUT, THE FEAR CITY OF THE MIDDLE EAST WRITTEN BY: CALINE J. SAADE LPSA, LEBANON
You have most likely seen and heard of enumerated atrocities in Lebanon across widespread news outlets for the past couple of years; it would almost seem unusual if Lebanon was not headlining international news coverage. Lebanon has long been and currently is in a state of absolute chaos attributed to an incompetent ruling class, the peak of inflation rates, the devaluation of our currency (the Lebanese Lira), the Coronavirus pandemic, and following the Beirut explosion. This hasn't only rendered around 55% of the population under the poverty line according to UNESCWA (2021), but it has also prohibited the general population of its fundamental human rights, one of which is directly related to the pharmaceutical field; access to services and individualised medication. The Pharmaceutical industry has always been of utmost importance yet is subjected to the highest levels of threat due to the gaps it faces. Due to the general population's increasingly restricted purchasing power (even before the rising rates of poverty) and due to the overpriced physician consultations, citizens have always consulted pharmacists free of charge for counselling, guidance or even diagnosis; which defies our regulations and policies as pharmacists. Unfortunately, Pharmacists are still not recognized as an integral part of the health care body; mostly by other healthcare professionals Currently, the two most crucial healthcare challenges in Lebanon are, acute shortage of medications (both branded and generic types), and smuggling of medication. Smuggled medication could also be counterfeit, thus making the situation worse. When tackling the former, according to the Medicine Importers Syndicate, Lebanon imports around 80% of its medicines. These are generally subsidised by the Central Bank rendering them somewhat still affordable amid inflation. However, the fear of an increase in pricing in the near future and lack of medication has prompted citizens to purchase their medicines at a more-than-needed basis. Unfortunately, Lebanese community pharmacies are not equipped with patient profiles and are subsequently unable to control patient purchases to maintain fairness in supply. Medication shortage is extremely concerning particularly in the case of chronically ill individuals (Diabetes, Cancer, Hypercholesterolemia, Cardiovascular Disease Patients…) since they find themselves unable to purchase neither their preferred medication nor a substitute. This would only exacerbate their medical condition, alter their functionality, worsen their quality of life and boost rates of morbidity and mortality. Regarding the latter, Fraud has been on the rise especially due to medication shortage. Counterfeiting attempts most commonly target high demand and expensive medication as chemotherapeutic drugs, antibiotics and vaccines to name a few. Counterfeit medications are relatively cheaper than genuine medications, all while deceptively seeming legitimate to users due to similar packaging and labelling as genuine products. Therefore, patients trust the wrong suppliers which could lead to serious consequences. Smuggling of genuine drugs also would lead to an increase in the artificial demand for medication further worsening drug shortages.
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