Geopolitical tensions between Iran and the US threaten global pharmaceutical supply chains, raising medicine prices in Nigeria. Experts urge local production and strategic stockpiles

Escalating tensions between Iran and the United States could disrupt global pharmaceutical supply chains, potentially causing medicine shortages and price hikes in Nigeria, experts have warned.

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Olumide Obube, the immediate past vice chairman of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, explained that Nigeria relies heavily on imported pharmaceuticals and raw materials from countries such as India and China, often transported through Middle Eastern transit hubs.

The warning follows military strikes by Israel and the US on Iran starting February 28, 2026, targeting Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

These hostilities have disrupted key shipping and air-cargo routes, pushing up freight costs and slowing the delivery of essential goods.

Obube highlighted the vulnerability of critical shipping corridors, including the Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant proportion of global oil trade and pharmaceutical shipments pass.

He said, “Early reports already indicate medicine shortages in several countries due to supply chain disruptions linked to the conflict.

For Nigeria, and other import-dependent nations, the implications could be severe, including price surges for essential medicines.”

He further noted that medicines for hypertension, antibiotics, vaccines, and antiretrovirals could be impacted, stressing that prolonged disruption may jeopardize healthcare delivery.

Market surveys by The PUNCH indicate medicine prices in Nigeria have already risen sharply. Between mid-2024 and mid-2025:

Insulin increased from ₦14,000 to ₦18,000

Glucometers rose from ₦20,500 to ₦29,000

Common hypertension drugs such as metformin and amlodipine recorded notable increases

Some antimalarial drugs nearly doubled in price

Obube called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to strengthen local pharmaceutical manufacturing and build strategic medicine reserves to cushion the population from global supply shocks.

“Nigeria and other African countries should expand domestic drug production to reduce dependence on global supply chains,” he said. “Regional stockpiles of vaccines, antibiotics, and essential medicines can ensure continuity of healthcare delivery during crises.”

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He also recommended empowering institutions such as the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention to coordinate continent-wide emergency health responses and bolster health security infrastructure, including laboratory capacity, epidemic surveillance, and rapid-response teams.