Medicine deliveries continue despite the conflict in the Middle East

The hostilities in the Middle East have brought immense suffering to people in the region in a short period of time. The consequences of the conflict are felt well beyond the immediate area. However, it has not led to shortages of medicines in Finland or elsewhere in Europe.

According to Janne Maksimainen, Orion’s Head of Region for Finland and the Baltics, the conflict has no immediate impact on the availability of medicines in Finland or the EU.

“A severe crisis is unfolding in the Middle East. The situation is especially difficult for those living in areas directly affected by attacks. At the same time, Ukrainians continue to face their fifth year of hardship in Europe.”

Orion has continued supplying medicines to Ukraine throughout the war, keeping its delivery routes open to support patients in Ukraine.

“Ordinary people in these regions are experiencing tremendous human suffering. We hope the situation will stabilise soon so that people can return to their normal lives,” Maksimainen says.

Recent global events have raised concerns about medicine availability, as transport in the Middle East is currently exposed to various risks. Yet deliveries from the Persian Gulf—whether finished medicines or active ingredients—play only a minor role.

“Orion does not receive any medicines or active pharmaceutical ingredients that pass through the Strait of Hormuz. The conflict does not have an immediate impact on medicine availability in Finland or the EU,” Maksimainen explains.

There is some pharmaceutical manufacturing in the region, and in normal circumstances certain substances move through the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz to be used in the production of active ingredients or excipients. “Our current understanding is that the factories are operating almost normally. If the crisis continues for several months, this could affect the availability of some products,” he says.

The conflict has also quickly restricted air traffic in the region. Airports in Doha and Dubai have historically been key hubs for urgent air freight. “At the moment, they are almost entirely unavailable. Capacity through these hubs is very limited and extremely costly,” he says.

Transport costs may affect consumers sooner

The conflict has a tangible impact on the economy and everyday life in Finland and the wider EU. About 20 per cent of the world’s oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz, along with significant volumes of natural gas. If the strait were closed, fuel prices and availability would be affected rapidly, pushing up transportation costs across the board.

The strait is also used to transport by-products from the chemical industry that serve as raw materials for fertilisers. Prolonged disruptions could influence food production, availability and prices. Maksimainen notes that the same pressures in global transport chains could gradually be felt in the price of medicines in Finland if the crisis is prolonged.

Medicines are a key element of Finland’s security of supply

Finland’s flexible domestic pharmaceutical industry is capable of ensuring medicine availability even under exceptional circumstances. In addition, statutory reserve stocks help the country navigate short-term crises.

“The crisis in the Middle East has not caused medicine shortages in Finland, and even if the situation remains difficult, no shortages are expected in the coming months,” Maksimainen states.

He emphasises that security of supply is built in peacetime. “Orion has invested long-term in this area, and in recent years we have significantly strengthened our pharmaceutical production and development.

“Domestic agriculture, energy production and pharmaceutical manufacturing form the core of Finland’s resilience. We must safeguard this foundation.”