Following the Taliban’s order to halt the import of medicines from Pakistan, Pakistani pharmaceuticals have become severely scarce in the Afghanistan market, with prices for some items increasing by more than 100 percent. The shortage and rising cost of Pakistani medicines in the country have directly affected the fragile economy of the people, leaving patients grappling with unprecedented drug prices as well as low-quality Iranian products.
Several pharmaceutical traders who previously imported from Pakistan say that Pakistani medicines are no longer entering the country legally, and whatever remains in the market was either imported in the past or is being supplied through smuggling. According to them, smuggling carries significant risks, and if discovered by the Taliban, the shipments are destroyed, which in turn affects prices.
Ahmad Shah Mozamil, a pharmaceutical importer, says that the Taliban exert pressure on importers from all sides, have increased taxes, collect substantial customs deposits, and, in addition,n have banned the import of Pakistani medicines. In his view, the rise in drug prices is not largely linked to the exchange rate of the dollar, as it has been relatively stable over the past two to three years; rather, Taliban policies and the group’s conflict with Pakistan have led to sharp price increases in the market.
Abdul Rahman Achakzai, another pharmaceutical importer, says they are aware that rising drug prices place pressure on the public, but they are compelled to increase prices because they themselves import medicines at higher costs.
Mr. Achakzai notes that Pakistani medicines have a key advantage in that they are both reasonably priced and of high quality, making them highly beneficial for the public. He adds that in the absence of Pakistani medicines, the only affordable alternative is Iranian medicine, which is of significantly lower quality, while higher-quality medicines are imported from Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and India, but their prices are considerably higher than those of n Pakistani medicines, despite having similar quality.
This pharmacist says: “For example, a packet of 100 mg Quetiapine, an antipsychotic drug, previously cost between 80 and 100 Afghanis per pack, but now it exceeds 200 Afghanis, while its Iranian equivalent costs 10 Afghanis per pack.”
Meanwhile, some patients and their relatives complain about the increase in drug prices, saying that even a minor illness now requires spending around 1,500 to 2,000 Afghanis on medication.
Abdul Rahim, who has come to the market to purchase medicine, complains about the high prices of pharmaceuticals and says, “Pray that no one falls ill, otherwise it will cost dearly. My mother has diabetes; her medicine used to cost 500 to 600 rupees, but now it is no less than 1,500.” He considers the Taliban’s obstinacy to be the main factor behind the rising cost of medicines and other essential goods, adding: “Do not look only at medicine; the closure of the Pakistan route has also increased the price of potatoes.”
Pharmacists, however, say that the rise in drug prices is beyond their control and they are forced to adjust to current market rates. They complain of increasing pressure from the Taliban, stating that members affiliated with the group’s public health sector regularly inspect pharmacies and confiscate any Pakistani medicines they find.
Rashid Ahmadi, a pharmacy seller in the city center, says that the border is closed and medicines are not being imported from Pakistan, which has led to rising prices.
In the Solar Hijri year 1404 (2025–2026), following tensions with Pakistan, the Taliban announced a complete halt to the import of medicines from Pakistan. The group has also recently warned that if smuggled consignments of Pakistani medicines are identified, they will be burned.
You can read the Persian version of this report here:
