Islamabad: Health authorities have warned of a potential health crisis after dozens of vehicles carrying life-saving medicines, vaccines and insulin remained stranded at Islamabad’s entry points for the fifth consecutive day due to restrictions on heavy traffic linked to anticipated high-level talks.
Officials said trucks and vans loaded with essential medicines have been stopped at key entry points, including Tarnol, Rawat and the 26 Number checkpoint, disrupting routine supply chains and raising concerns about shortages in hospitals and pharmacies across the federal capital.
According to senior officials, the stranded vehicles include consignments of temperature-sensitive medicines, vaccines and insulin, with fears that prolonged delays could compromise their quality and effectiveness.
Dr Obaidullah, Chief Executive Officer of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has taken up the matter with the Commissioner Islamabad, urging immediate permission for medicine supply vehicles to enter the city and warning that any further delay could have serious consequences for patients dependent on uninterrupted treatment.
“The supply of medicines cannot be treated as routine cargo. These are life-saving products, many of which require strict temperature control and timely delivery. Any disruption can lead to shortages and risks to patient safety,” a senior official familiar with the communication said, reflecting DRAP’s position.
Officials of Islamabad’s drug control administration, including Sardar Shabbir Ahmed, have also approached the district administration, requesting that pharmaceutical consignments be allowed unhindered access to prevent a breakdown in supply.
Pharmaceutical companies, including local manufacturers and multinational firms, confirmed that dozens of their vehicles have been held up at various checkpoints, halting deliveries of critical medicines to hospitals and distributors in the capital.
The disruption comes amid strict movement controls in Islamabad, where heavy vehicles have been barred entry under heightened security arrangements, but health authorities say essential supplies should have been exempted or facilitated through a dedicated mechanism.
Hospitals have already started reporting delays in the availability of key medicines, particularly for patients requiring continuous treatment such as insulin, cardiac drugs, oncology medicines and emergency injectables.
Health officials warned that if supplies are not restored immediately, the situation could escalate into a severe crisis, especially for critically ill patients, those undergoing chemotherapy and individuals dependent on dialysis and regular injections.
“The entire supply chain has been disrupted. If deliveries are not resumed within the next 24 to 48 hours, hospitals will start facing acute shortages,” a pharmaceutical distributor said.
The federal health ministry has cautioned that continued disruption in medicine supply could lead to a serious crisis, urging the Islamabad administration to allow immediate movement of essential medical consignments into the city.
Following high-level contacts, officials said the district administration has assured that it is considering allowing medicine-carrying vehicles to enter Islamabad either tonight or by tomorrow morning, offering some relief to an increasingly strained healthcare system.
Ends