Daijiworld Media Network – Dubai
Dubai, Mar 16: The ongoing conflict in the Middle East is disrupting the supply of critical medicines to Gulf countries, raising concerns about possible shortages of cancer drugs and other temperature-sensitive treatments, industry executives have warned.
The conflict, triggered by attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran two weeks ago and followed by Iranian retaliatory strikes across the region, has severely affected key transport routes. Major air transit hubs have been disrupted and shipping routes have been closed, complicating the movement of essential goods including medicines, food and oil.
Pharmaceutical industry executives said companies are being forced to reroute flights and find alternative land routes to ensure medicines reach the Gulf. Some drugmakers are transporting medicines by road from airports in Jeddah and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, while other alternative routes include Istanbul and Oman.
Major regional airports such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha — key global cargo hubs connecting Europe with Asia and Africa — have faced disruptions following Iranian strikes. Airlines and logistics firms operating from these hubs usually handle temperature-sensitive drugs that must be kept within a strict cold-chain environment to remain safe and effective.
Experts say a large portion of global air cargo carrying life-saving medicines passes through the region. Wouter Dewulf, professor at Antwerp Management School, said industry data indicates that more than one-fifth of global air cargo, including vaccines and critical medicines, is exposed to potential disruption due to instability in the Middle East.
Executives warned that setting up alternative cold-chain corridors for temperature-controlled medicines cannot be done overnight. Pharmaceutical companies have begun prioritising shipments of critical treatments, including cancer drugs, to ensure patients receive essential medicines without interruption.
Some cargo that normally moves between Europe and Asia through Dubai or Doha is now being rerouted through China or Singapore. However, sea routes are not considered practical due to longer transit times and security concerns, including the closure of the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.
Health experts cautioned that delays in delivering oncology medicines could have serious consequences. Prashant Yadav, senior fellow for global health at the Council on Foreign Relations, said stocks of temperature-sensitive and short shelf-life medicines are usually maintained for around three months, with cancer drugs such as monoclonal antibodies among the most vulnerable to disruption.
If deliveries are delayed, patients undergoing treatment could face interruptions in therapy, which may worsen their condition or require restarting treatment cycles.
Logistics providers say they are managing the situation for now. Dorothee Becher, head of air logistics for healthcare at freight company Kuehne+Nagel, said carriers are currently flying cargo into Jeddah, Riyadh and Oman and transporting medicines by road to final destinations.
However, rerouting shipments has increased transit times and fuel costs. Doaa Fathallah, chief operating officer at biopharma logistics firm Marken, said companies are working round the clock to reroute cold-chain shipments as airspace restrictions continue to change.
Industry experts warn that if the conflict persists, supply chains could face further strain, potentially affecting not only medicines but also essential components used in pharmaceutical packaging, such as vial stoppers and IV bag plastics.
Analysts say even shortages of small components used in drug packaging could disrupt the availability of critical treatments, highlighting the fragile nature of global pharmaceutical supply chains during geopolitical crises.