The Union of Drug Importers and Warehouse Owners - "LPIA" and the Union of Pharmaceutical Factories "SPIL" issued a statement regarding the strategic stock of medicine, stating: "Recently, some media outlets and social media have been discussing news concerning the strategic stock of medicine in Lebanon and the ability to cope with any emergency the country may face under current circumstances, in order to clarify the matter to the Lebanese and prevent an unjustified medicine crisis."
The statement clarified that "the strategic stock of medicine consists of several components, the first and most important of which is the volume of available reserve stock in case of any supply disruption. This stock is currently available with drug importers and Lebanese pharmaceutical factories and is sufficient to meet market needs for four months. Additionally, the inventory of raw materials is available at pharmaceutical factories, which is adequate for market needs for at least an additional six months." It noted that "this stock is monitored by the Ministry of Public Health, which conducts regular audits to compare the inventory held by importers and Lebanese pharmaceutical factories with the stock recorded with them, to ensure the accuracy of the figures."
Moreover, it highlighted that "importers and Lebanese pharmaceutical factories are securing medicine throughout Lebanon. In emergency cases or when a specific medicine is needed, the Ministry of Public Health can track this medicine to send it to the location where it needs to be provided."
Regarding medicines for cancer, chronic, and severe diseases, it indicated that "maximum priority is currently being given to these types. In this regard, it is important to remind that the crisis often spoken of recently did not begin recently but effectively started in October 2023. Additionally, since the removal of subsidies, focus has been placed on the strategic stock of these essential medicines, which is sufficient for at least three months, and several Lebanese pharmaceutical factories have begun securing these medicines for some time."
As for taking necessary precautions "to ensure continuity in medicine supplies and how to deal with any potential supply disruptions," the statement mentioned that "the two unions began actual preparations for any emergencies and risk management by securing essential supplies since October 2023 in coordination with the Ministry of Public Health."
The statement discussed that "some media outlets spoke about the clearance of medicines belonging to importers, including dialysis supplies and semi-finished raw materials used in local production," noting that "an official decision was issued by the Minister of Public Health and communicated to the General Directorate of Customs and the Higher Customs Council. Furthermore, directives have also been issued by the Presidency of the Council of Ministers. Accordingly, importers are awaiting the mechanism the customs will adopt to start this week clearing all goods as quickly as possible to avoid any incidents that might affect the strategic stock that both unions are diligently working to protect in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health. It is worth noting that this mechanism is the same as that adopted during the aggression against Lebanon in 2006 and during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020."
The statement concluded by assuring that "both unions care for citizens to be fully aware of these facts and information in order to prevent an unjustified crisis in the market."
