Pharma importers struggle to replenish Sudan’s med stocks for want of forex

A number of pharmaceutical companies in Sudan have confirmed the scarcity of several medicinal products in the country. More than 200 types of medicines have become completely unavailable.

A number of owners of companies have complained banks refuse to open credit, pointing that commercial banks refuse to grant foreign currency even after ratification by the Central Bank of Sudan. This requires the pharmaceutical companies to import medicine first and get the currency later.

The owners of pharmaceutical companies in Sudan have pointed out that the foreign and local companies, however, refuse to provide medicines without payment in advance.

They attributed this to the economic situation in the country and the effects of the economic embargo on Sudan whose impact is still ongoing.

Psychiatric and cancer medicines have been in short supply since the beginning of this year. In February, Dr Nasri Morgos, Head of the Private Pharmacies Association, told Radio Dabanga that the availability of psychiatric and neurological treatment medicines dropped by 80 per cent in January.

“Hospitals and clinics specialised in the treatment of neurological and psychological diseases are short of medicines as well,” he said.

“Cancer medicines are even more difficult to find.”