Iraqi health expert warns of risks from counterfeit and smuggled medicines

BAGHDAD, Iraq — An Iraqi health specialist has warned that counterfeit and smuggled medicines continue to pose a serious threat to public health, calling for stronger oversight of drug supply chains and border crossings. Hasan Ahram, a health-sector expert, said unregistered medicines enter the market through gaps in the supply chain and at border points, creating a major enforcement problem. He noted that inspections at border crossings and inside the domestic market had been stepped up in past years, but smuggling networks persist because of the high profits from counterfeit drugs. Ahram said the Health Ministry, along with security and regulatory bodies, has recently intensified monitoring of pharmacies and drug warehouses, seizing medicines that fail to meet standards and referring those responsible to the judiciary. He cautioned that medicines obtained from unlicensed sources can lead to failed treatment, worsen illness and impose additional costs on the health system. He added that while significant progress has been made against smuggling networks, authorities should update inspection systems, adopt modern technology for drug tracking, toughen penalties and raise public awareness so that medicines are purchased only from licensed pharmacies.