Afghanistan restricts imports to boost domestic pharmaceutical production

Afghanistan’s Ministry of Public Health disclosed that 130 domestic pharmaceutical factories cover only about 30% of the nation’s drug needs. To raise that share, the ministry announced a new restriction on imports of more than 200 medicines that are already produced locally, building on a prior ban covering roughly 15 products. The move is linked to a broader push to reactivate state-owned facilities, notably the Ibn Sina pharmaceutical factory, which is about 80% completed in its renovation and aims to expand output from 11 to 55 different medicines after acquiring machinery from China.

Experts warned that boosting production must be matched by strict quality and compliance measures to gain consumer trust. Local pharmacists called for greater attention to manufacturing standards, reasonable pricing, and thorough testing. Residents said they would prefer Afghan-made drugs if they meet the same quality as foreign alternatives.