In a concerning development for Haiti’s healthcare system, Pierre Hugues, the President of the Association of Haitian Pharmacists, has issued a stark warning about the proliferation of counterfeit drugs in the country. This surge, he emphasized, is a direct consequence of the acute shortage gripping pharmacies and the wider health infrastructure.
Hugues highlighted the precarious situation, citing the closure or dysfunctionality of ports and airports, which has severely disrupted the supply chain for medicines. With Haiti relying on imports for nearly 70% of its pharmaceutical needs, the current logistical challenges have exacerbated the scarcity, leaving thousands of patients without essential treatments.
The absence of effective border controls and a prevailing sense of impunity, Hugues noted, have facilitated the smuggling of counterfeit medicines into the country. This alarming trend poses significant risks to public health, as unsuspecting consumers may unknowingly purchase substandard or even harmful products.
Of particular concern is the compromised operational status of key laboratories within Haiti. Despite having 216 officially recognized laboratories, only three are situated within the national territory. Regrettably, one of these facilities is inactive due to security concerns, while the remaining two operate below their full capacity, further exacerbating the supply shortfall.
In addition to these systemic challenges, the recent spate of violence orchestrated by criminal gangs has inflicted further damage to Haiti’s healthcare infrastructure. Reports indicate that more than ten pharmacies in Port-au-Prince have been looted and set ablaze in recent days, exacerbating an already dire situation.
