The Pharmaline plant in Nahr Ibrahim, Lebanon, March 11, 2024. (Credit: João Sousa/L'Orient Today)
BEIRUT — The Syndicate of Pharmaceutical Factories in Lebanon reassured in a statement on Wednesday that the industry is trying its best to maintain the supply of essential and chronic medications to meet the needs of the country's hospitals in case tensions arise further in Lebanon.
The syndicate reassured that the pharmaceutical factories will be "fully prepared for any emergency" the country may witness.
The factories are working around the clock "to secure the Lebanese market's needs for basic and chronic medicines, as well as 100 percent of the country's serum requirements, which are a critical pillar for hospital [operations]," it added.
This statement comes alongside Health Minister Firass Abiad confirming, following a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, that Lebanon has a "six-month" supply of medicines available.
Earlier today, caretaker Environment Minister Nasser Yassin, who is the coordinator of the national emergency plan, affirmed that emergency medical needs are secured, and financial issues will be addressed as decided by the cabinet, with funding available to ensure the public's needs are met without any evasion of responsibility.
These precautions come after a significant escalation in violence triggered by an Israeli airstrike on Beirut's southern suburbs on Tuesday night and a separate attack in Tehran that killed Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh. These incidents have heightened fears of further conflict in the region.