Analysis-Middle East war disrupts pharma air routes, risks cancer drugs supply

AI Summary

The Middle East war, triggered by US and Israeli strikes on Iran and subsequent Iranian regional counterstrikes, is disrupting pharmaceutical air supply chains to the Gulf region, endangering supplies of cancer drugs and other temperature-sensitive medicines. Key air transit hubs have been knocked out and shipping routes closed, forcing companies to seek costly rerouting options. Industry executives warn of severe risks to patient care across the region.

LONDON, March 16 (Reuters) - War in the Middle East is disrupting the flow of critical medicines to the Gulf, imperilling supply routes for cancer drugs and other treatments that require refrigeration and forcing companies to reroute flights and find overland access into the region, industry executives said. The conflict, sparked by U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran two weeks ago and broadened by Iranian strikes around the region, has knocked out key air transit hubs and closed shipping routes, snarling the movement of goods for many products from medicines to food and oil.