An insight into the pharmaceutical sector in Yemen during conflict: challenges and recommendations

Med Confl Surviv. 2020 Sep;36(3):232-248. doi: 10.1080/13623699.2020.1794287. Epub 2020 Jul 27.

Abstract

In our world today, we need to understand, measure, and respond to inequality. The conflict and siege in Yemen have caused serious repercussions and consequences for the pharmaceutical sector and health of the people. Hospital, health centres and facilities, medicines warehouses and pharmaceutical factories have been destroyed. Further, the conflict has aggravated the health situation with shortages of medicines, an increase in chronic illnesses, and multiple epidemics and casualties. This article aims to highlight the challenges faced by the pharmaceutical sector in Yemen. It will address the overall state of health of the Yemeni people, as well as focus on the past, current status and future development of the pharmaceutical sector. Further, it will focus on possible remedial actions to solve some of these problems. These problems can be tackled if the responsible parties have the political will to do so. Acknowledging the different classes of problems is undeniably very important to provide clarity on the future of Yemen's supposedly promising pharmaceutical landscape.

Keywords: Pharmaceutical sector; Yemen; conflict; health system; pharmaceutical landscape; war.

MeSH terms

  • Advertising / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Armed Conflicts*
  • Drug Industry / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Drug Industry / organization & administration*
  • Education, Pharmacy
  • Health Status*
  • Humans
  • Legislation, Drug
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations / economics
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations / supply & distribution*
  • Policy
  • Yemen

Substances

  • Pharmaceutical Preparations