Lebanese intensive care units are running short on medicines, forcing hospitals to postpone operations as a severe economic crisis limits the country's ability to import life-saving drugs, doctors said on Wednesday.
"Medicines used only in intensive care units are missing," Dr Assem Araji, who heads parliament's Health Committee, said on Monday. "We are facing problems in ICUs.
“Medicines for heart diseases, diabetes, epilepsy and incurable illness are missing. People are searching for them from region to region and when they do find them it’s sold for twice the price,” Dr Araji said.
Medicine shortages are the latest sign of the Lebanese state's struggle to provide its population with basic needs since the onset of a financial crisis in late 2019.
Smuggling and hoarding of drugs as well as pressure from the coronavirus pandemic has worsened shortages that have become chronic in the past year and a half, Dr Araji said.
Lebanon imports 80 per cent of its drugs, the Medicine Importers Syndicate says, at a time when the country’s foreign currency reserves are at a record low. The country faces chronic shortages of fuel, food and other necessities, imported in dollars.
Firas Abiad, the director of Lebanon's largest public hospital, says hospitals are short on anaesthetics such as propofol and azneron, forcing doctors to postpone operations.
He said that lack of liquidity is preventing hospitals from building up enough stocks of crucial drugs in anticipation of the shortages.
"I am sure that soon we will see shortages of antibiotics and other medications," he told The National.
Drugs are subsidised by the Central Bank to keep pricing affordable amid rampant inflation, yet cheap prices encourage smuggling and hoarding, doctors and officials said.
“Smuggling has created artificial demand for medication,” Mr Abiad said. “And because people are scared they are hoarding, which worsens the shortages.”
People across the country are struggling to find the medicine they need, often visiting half a dozen pharmacies before they can buy their medications.
Lives at risk
Hawraa Faour, 36, said she has been running from pharmacy to pharmacy for the past two weeks to secure medication for her father, a paraplegic with diabetes and high blood pressure.
"I'm losing hope," she said. Her father has only one week's worth of drugs left.
Pharmacist Muhiddin Takkoush estimates that 150 to 200 common drugs are either in severe shortage in Lebanon or not available at all.
"It's a matter of life or death," Mr Takkoush said. "Even generic substitutes for missing medications are missing."
“Everything is missing, even painkillers. We have nothing to sell to people.”
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Five%20calorie-packed%20Ramadan%20drinks
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERooh%20Afza%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E100ml%20contains%20414%20calories%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETang%20orange%20drink%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E100ml%20serving%20contains%20300%20calories%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECarob%20beverage%20mix%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E100ml%20serving%20contains%20about%20300%20calories%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EQamar%20Al%20Din%20apricot%20drink%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E100ml%20saving%20contains%2061%20calories%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EVimto%20fruit%20squash%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E100ml%20serving%20contains%2030%20calories%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
A little about CVRL
Founded in 1985 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) is a government diagnostic centre that provides testing and research facilities to the UAE and neighbouring countries.
One of its main goals is to provide permanent treatment solutions for veterinary related diseases.
The taxidermy centre was established 12 years ago and is headed by Dr Ulrich Wernery.
Lampedusa: Gateway to Europe
Pietro Bartolo and Lidia Tilotta
Quercus
The biog
Name: Younis Al Balooshi
Nationality: Emirati
Education: Doctorate degree in forensic medicine at the University of Bonn
Hobbies: Drawing and reading books about graphic design
The specs
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 640hp
Torque: 760nm
On sale: 2026
Price: Not announced yet
PRO BASH
Thursday’s fixtures
6pm: Hyderabad Nawabs v Pakhtoon Warriors
10pm: Lahore Sikandars v Pakhtoon Blasters
Teams
Chennai Knights, Lahore Sikandars, Pakhtoon Blasters, Abu Dhabi Stars, Abu Dhabi Dragons, Pakhtoon Warriors and Hyderabad Nawabs.
Squad rules
All teams consist of 15-player squads that include those contracted in the diamond (3), platinum (2) and gold (2) categories, plus eight free to sign team members.
Tournament rules
The matches are of 25 over-a-side with an 8-over power play in which only two fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle. Teams play in a single round robin league followed by the semi-finals and final. The league toppers will feature in the semi-final eliminator.
THE%20SPECS
%3Cp%3EEngine%3A%204.4-litre%20twin-turbo%20V8%20hybrid%0D%3Cbr%3EPower%3A%20653hp%20at%205%2C400rpm%0D%3Cbr%3ETorque%3A%20800Nm%20at%201%2C600-5%2C000rpm%0D%3Cbr%3ETransmission%3A%208-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E0-100kph%20in%204.3sec%0D%3Cbr%3ETop%20speed%20250kph%0D%3Cbr%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20NA%0D%3Cbr%3EOn%20sale%3A%20Q2%202023%0D%3Cbr%3EPrice%3A%20From%20Dh750%2C000%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
War
Director: Siddharth Anand
Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Tiger Shroff, Ashutosh Rana, Vaani Kapoor
Rating: Two out of five stars
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How to become a Boglehead
Bogleheads follow simple investing philosophies to build their wealth and live better lives. Just follow these steps.
• Spend less than you earn and save the rest. You can do this by earning more, or being frugal. Better still, do both.
• Invest early, invest often. It takes time to grow your wealth on the stock market. The sooner you begin, the better.
• Choose the right level of risk. Don't gamble by investing in get-rich-quick schemes or high-risk plays. Don't play it too safe, either, by leaving long-term savings in cash.
• Diversify. Do not keep all your eggs in one basket. Spread your money between different companies, sectors, markets and asset classes such as bonds and property.
• Keep charges low. The biggest drag on investment performance is all the charges you pay to advisers and active fund managers.
• Keep it simple. Complexity is your enemy. You can build a balanced, diversified portfolio with just a handful of ETFs.
• Forget timing the market. Nobody knows where share prices will go next, so don't try to second-guess them.
• Stick with it. Do not sell up in a market crash. Use the opportunity to invest more at the lower price.
