Rising oil prices threaten medicine costs, expert urges cut to petrochemical dependence

Unitaid has released a study examining how the recent climb in oil prices, driven by the war with Iran, may affect the affordability of essential medicines. The analysis focuses on a widely used HIV treatment, projecting a 15% rise in production costs should oil hit $120 a barrel. Most of this increase—about 85%—stems from petrochemical ingredients derived from oil.

Julien Pouille, who leads Unitaid's climate and health strategy and authored the paper, says that cutting dependence on petrochemical feedstocks would help stabilize drug prices and reduce emissions. The findings were prompted by Unitaid's broader access strategy, which seeks health solutions that also support climate goals. The report highlights a potential risk to drug access amid the ongoing Middle East crisis.