Bitter pill: Taliban government shakes up Afghan medicine marketPharmacists report a shortage of many medicines since the Taliban authorities ordered them to become less reliant on imports from Pakistan. (Photo: AFP)KABUL — Afghanistan's decision to overhaul its medicine market was meant to improve quality and boost domestic production, but industry specialists say the swift changes have led to a litany of problems. "If a medicine was short in the market before, a call was made to Pakistan, and the medicine was delivered in two to three days," he said. He acknowledged it will take some time to shift the market, saying that officials were working with Iran, India, Bangladesh, Uzbekistan, Turkey, China and Belarus to source medicine. Some people believe that "if they use Pakistani medicine, they will be cured" -- but not if it came from India "or any other country", the industry source said.

Source: Bangkok Post February 16, 2026 12:52 UTC