Taliban Administration Moves to Control Rising Drug Prices in Afghanistan
Amid a sharp rise in drug prices across Afghanistan, Noorjalal Jalali, acting head of the Taliban-run Ministry of Public Health, has met with representatives from medicine wholesalers, import companies, and pharmacies to discuss efforts aimed at stabilizing prices and curbing hoarding.
The spike in medication costs has intensified following the closure of trade routes with Pakistan and the subsequent halt in pharmaceutical imports from that country—previously a major supplier for the Afghan drug market. This disruption has significantly hindered public access to essential medicines and raised concerns over the state of healthcare services in the country.
According to statistics from the Taliban-controlled National Statistics and Information Authority, healthcare and treatment costs rose by approximately 13.9% in the Afghan month of Aqrab (October–November), highlighting increased economic pressure on households, especially patients and vulnerable groups.
In response, the Taliban administration has given Afghan traders a three-month deadline to settle outstanding accounts with Pakistani companies. After this grace period, all drug imports from Pakistan will be entirely banned—a decision that has sparked fears of prolonged medicine shortages if viable alternatives are not arranged.
Taliban officials stated they are seeking to source pharmaceutical supplies from other countries. The Ministry of Industry and Commerce announced the signing of a $100 million memorandum of understanding between an Afghan firm and an Indian company to import and manufacture medicines domestically.
Additionally, Taliban authorities revealed they are in talks with officials from the Islamic Republic of Iran to increase pharmaceutical exports to Afghanistan. However, critics argue that the lack of a transparent policy, weak market management, and delays in policymaking are key factors behind the country’s unstable medicine market.
