Junta restricts supply of pharmaceuticals into Arakan State

By DMG 30 Sep 2022

DMG Newsroom
30 September 2022, Sittwe

Myanmar’s military regime has been restricting the supply of medicines from Yangon to Arakan State, according to pharmaceutical companies and representatives, and healthcare workers.

Vehicles carrying medicines from pharmaceutical companies were stopped at security checkpoints on the Sittwe-Yangon road and told to go back despite the fact that they had permits signed by the Arakan State security and border affairs minister, said the manager of a pharmacy in Sittwe on condition of anonymity. The pharmacy is supplied by a pharmaceutical company in Yangon.

“If they officially impose restrictions, we can respond officially. But we find it difficult to respond because they are doing this without officially imposing restrictions. Previously, pharmaceutical companies could transport medicines by road with the approval of the [Arakan State] security and border affairs minister. Now, they [the regime] do not allow transport of medicines whether with or without a permit from the security and border affairs minister,” he said.

The military regime has also imposed restrictions on air transport of pharmaceutical supplies, he added.

“Only important medicines are transported by air because it is costly. And [the military regime] has also restricted air transport of medicines. Though they don’t say it officially, it is said that only a carry-on of medicines is allowed [per person],” he said.

The regime has reportedly restricted supply of medicines since mid-September. Previously, pharmacies and pharmaceutical companies in Arakan State had to seek the approval of the state security and border affairs minister to buy medicines from Yangon.

But since last week, junta officials have returned relevant documents that have been submitted to the security and border affairs minister, to pharmaceutical companies, a manager of a pharmaceutical company based in Sittwe told DMG.

Healthcare workers are concerned about a possible shortage of medicines as there are only two months of stocks in Arakan State.

“General medicines like medicines for diabetes, high blood pressure and vitamin supplements can run out. Companies usually do not keep large stocks. Usually, they would order one or two months’ [supply]. Because of the news of supply shortages, people who can afford it are buying big, so stocks may run out earlier than expected,” he said.

Pharmaceuticals from mainland Myanmar are primarily transported to Sittwe before being distributed to other parts of Arakan State. Residents in rural areas will suffer more because of the junta’s restrictions, said a doctor.

“Residents in towns will not be affected that badly. But people on the fringes of society — working-class people, people from rural areas and IDPs at displacement camps — will be the first to suffer, and they will suffer badly. And the prices of medicines will also increase,” he warned.

Junta security checkpoints are also barring medical supplies from being transported from Sittwe to other townships in Arakan State, according to distributors.

Military tensions have been running high between the regime and the Arakan Army (AA) in Arakan State. Since August 14, the regime has blocked off land and water routes in Rathedaung, Buthidaung and Maungdaw townships. It has also ordered the suspension of ferry boat services running from Sittwe to outlying townships.