Medicine deliveries still locked into pre-ceasefire rules, locals say

By DMG 09 Dec 2022

DMG Newsroom
9 December 2022, Sittwe

Myanmar’s military regime is still restricting deliveries of pharmaceuticals into Arakan State in western Myanmar, despite its recent ceasefire with the Arakan Army (AA).

Pharmaceuticals are still short in supply and prices remain high due to junta restrictions, according to locals and healthcare workers.

The regime has restricted the supply of medicines into Arakan State following renewed fighting with the AA in August. The ban was not official, but junta security checkpoints still bar deliveries of medicines and Arakan-based bulk-medicine-supply purchases from Yangon, and junta travel restrictions also make it difficult to deliver pharmaceuticals from the state capital Sittwe to other parts of Arakan.

Pharmacies and drug companies in Arakan then had to seek approval from the junta-appointed Arakan State security and border affairs minister to buy medicines from Yangon.

“We are not allowed to bring in medicines at all. Previously, we could carry medicines with the pass from the security minister. But I heard it is difficult to carry medicines now even with his pass. They have not officially allowed back deliveries of medicines,” said Dr. Kyaw Zaw Thant from the Free Clinic Rakhine, which provides free healthcare services in Sittwe.

High medicine prices have forced free clinics to charge patients just to survive. “Prices of medicines have more than doubled. And there are no regular donors. So, we even owe debts to drugstores. We can’t restock medicines due to high prices,” said Dr. Kyaw Zaw Thant.

The prices of medicines have tripled in some parts of Arakan State, and certain medicines are transported by air. Public hospitals in rural areas are also affected by the junta’s restrictions.

“It is unacceptable that the Myanmar military has imposed restrictions on deliveries of medicines for so long,” said a Sittwe resident who asked for anonymity.

Some pharmacies in Rathedaung, Mrauk-U and Kyauktaw townships are selling on a quota basis as they are not able to restock.

DMG was unable to obtain comment from Arakan State Administration Council spokesman U Hla Thein, and Arakan State security and border affairs minister Colonel Kyaw Thura about locals’ complaints.

Myanmar imports medicines mainly from India, Thailand, Malaysia, Germany and Turkey. Medicines imported from Thailand are reportedly particularly in short supply in Arakan State.