Lebanon: Medicine Going Out of Stock, Smuggling Fears Mounting

Lebanon: Medicine Going Out of Stock, Smuggling Fears Mounting
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Lebanon: Medicine Going Out of Stock, Smuggling Fears Mounting

Lebanon: Medicine Going Out of Stock, Smuggling Fears Mounting

A number of Lebanese have complained of the exhaustion of certain medicines, including medications for chronic diseases. This caused panic and fear, especially in a country where the interruption or loss of any basic commodity or service such as bread, diesel, and electricity has become natural and possible at any moment.

The head of the Pharmacists Syndicate, Ghassan al-Amin said that Lebanon was not heading towards a drug crisis.

“The availability of medicines is linked to continuous subsidies,” he affirmed.

Amin explained that some drugs were sometimes unavailable for 10-15 days, because of the mechanism adopted by the Lebanese Central Bank in opening credit lines for importers.

Another reason that contributed to the recent exhaustion of drugs is because “some citizens are stocking medicine in their homes. This has “significantly increased drug consumption and contributed to its depletion from pharmacies,” according to Amin.

Smuggling is another contributor, the head of the Syndicate said, expressing his fears that this phenomenon would worsen with the deterioration of the value of the local currency against the USD in the parallel market.

Responding to fears over the rise of prices, Amin stressed that all medicines were subsidized, noting that prices would not rise but they might decrease.

The increase in prices was only seen in nutritional supplements and some products that are sold in pharmacies and are not classified as medicines, he noted.

Amin revealed that there are around 200 pharmacies that have recently closed and expected the number to reach 1,000 out of 3,000 within a year, because most pharmacy owners were unable to sustain further losses.



Alkhorayef Highlights Opportunities for Russian-Saudi Industrial Collaboration

Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef speaks at the Russian-Saudi Dialogue Forum on Monday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef speaks at the Russian-Saudi Dialogue Forum on Monday. (SPA)
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Alkhorayef Highlights Opportunities for Russian-Saudi Industrial Collaboration

Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef speaks at the Russian-Saudi Dialogue Forum on Monday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef speaks at the Russian-Saudi Dialogue Forum on Monday. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef emphasized on Monday the enduring strength of economic ties between Saudi Arabia and Russia.

Speaking at the Russian-Saudi Dialogue Forum, held as part of INNOPROM 2025 in Yekaterinburg, he stressed the importance of Saudi Arabia’s mining sector as a vital enabler for economic diversification as part of the Kingdom’s objectives under Saudi Vision 2030.

Underscoring the Kingdom’s vast mineral resources, he highlighted its strategic geographic location as a global trade hub that connects three continents, offering promising opportunities for international investors.

Alkhorayef praised the outcomes of the Saudi-Russian Joint Committee, emphasizing its role in identifying investment opportunities across key sectors and enhancing knowledge exchange between the two countries.

The minister called on forum participants to continue strengthening cooperation and creating tangible projects that support the sustainable growth of both Saudi Arabia and Russia. He also extended an open invitation to Russian counterparts to visit the Kingdom, explore its diverse investment prospects, and experience its rich cultural heritage, noting that Saudi nationals have been showing increasing interest in travel to Russia.

Alkhorayef praised the longstanding relationship between Saudi Arabia and Russia that has spanned over 100 years, creating a foundation to advance joint initiatives in industry, mining, technology, and global trade.

Saudi Arabia and Russia’s economic relations have already witnessed monumental growth in recent years, particularly in the fields of industry, mining, petrochemicals, and advanced manufacturing. Bilateral non-oil trade increased from $491 million in 2016 to $3.28 billion in 2024, reflecting a growing partnership between the two countries.

Alkhorayef is currently leading a high-level Saudi delegation to Russia, accompanied by senior officials from 18 government entities and more than 20 leading national companies representing priority sectors including industrial services, technology, manufacturing, machinery, mining, industrial automation, energy, tourism, and culture.