Russian Pharma Firm to Start Medicine Exports to Afghanistan

Russia’s pharmaceutical group Pharmasyntez has announced that it will begin exporting medicines to Afghanistan this summer following an agreement with the Ministry of Public Health of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.

Russian media reported that under the agreement, the first shipments of medicines are expected to arrive in the Afghan market within the next two months. However, it remains unclear what types of medicines will be included in the initial consignments.

According to Russian media reports, a senior commercial executive of the company said there was strong demand for Russian-made pharmaceutical products and described the launch of exports to Afghanistan as a step toward strengthening Pharmasyntez’s presence in the region.

Noorullah Stanikzai, a pharmacist, told : “Quality medicines should be imported so that public confidence in the healthcare sector increases. Medicines must be of good quality because they have a positive impact on treatment.”

The Ministry of Public Health has not yet commented on the matter.

Meanwhile, a number of patient caretakers have emphasized the need for quality medicines in Afghanistan’s pharmaceutical market.

Hamesha Gul Safi, a patient caretaker, said: “People are poor and have limited financial means. They struggle to earn money and bring patients for treatment, but if the medicines are of poor quality, their illnesses may worsen.”

Dawood, a patient caretaker, said: “Medicines available in pharmacies should meet standards so that we are not forced to visit several doctors and buy medicines repeatedly.”

However, pharmaceutical experts say investment in the domestic pharmaceutical industry and increased local production would be more beneficial alongside medicine imports from foreign countries.

Lutfullah, a pharmacy worker, said: “Factories should be activated and we should have access to raw materials so that we can become self-sufficient in medicine production and not remain dependent on other countries.”

This comes after Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar ordered a ban on medicine imports from Pakistan on November 12, 2025. Following the expiration of a three-month grace period, the decision officially took effect at Afghanistan’s customs points on February 8, 2026. The Ministry of Public Health subsequently stepped up efforts to source medicines from other countries. The Ministry of Industry and Commerce has also stated that Afghanistan’s pharmaceutical market is not solely dependent on Pakistan, noting that medicines are imported from 37 other countries as well.