Nepal’s Pharmaceutical Industry Faces Crisis Amid US–Israel–Iran Conflict

Nepal’s pharmaceutical industry is facing a severe crisis due to the ongoing conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran. The cost of raw materials in the international market has surged, and distribution channels are disrupted, leading to higher production costs. However, the Department of Drug Administration has not allowed price hikes, pushing manufacturers into losses. Officials from the Nepal Pharmaceutical Manufacturers’ Association have warned that the situation could become critical unless the government facilitates immediate solutions. Most raw materials are imported from India, where shortages of propane gas have forced several pharmaceutical companies to partially or fully halt production, creating the risk of drug shortages in Nepal. Out of around 130 registered pharmaceutical industries in Nepal, only about half are operational.