Doctors gave up their profession because Iran's arm flooded the market with counterfeit medicines

English - Wednesday 16 November 2022 الساعة 09:11 am
Sana'a, NewsYemen, exclusive:

An economic report revealed that the Houthi militia - Iran's arm in Yemen, has flooded the market with counterfeit medicines, and is substituting them instead of the usual brands, which prompted many doctors to abandon the practice of the profession.

The report, "Yemeni Economy 2021... The Economy of War and the New Rich," issued last June by the Center for Studies and Economic Media, mentioned documented testimonies of doctors, surgeons, and pharmacists confirming the Houthi militia's trading in adulterated and forged medicines.

According to the report, three out of ten surgeons said that they had stopped practicing their work for fear of complications that the patient might suffer as a result of these counterfeit medicines traded by Iran's arm.

The report said that many of the warlords in Sana'a were able, through their new companies, to replace reliable pharmaceutical products with fake imports of medicines, radiotherapy and laboratory tests, considering this a disaster that threatens the lives of millions of Yemenis.

The report indicated that the results of the research conducted with a number of surgeons and pharmacists.  It showed that the Supreme Authority for Medicines and Medical Supplies granted nascent companies licenses to import medicines from companies that are not registered with the authority, i.e. not recognized.

The report confirmed that the new Houthi companies imported counterfeit products and replaced them with the usual items.

The report mentioned an anesthesiologist saying that he had decided to stay at home since 2017 as a result of the drug import company's involvement in selling unsafe items that did not conform to medical standards, and added: "They lie when they claim that they conform to the results of the national laboratory. The analysis materials in this laboratory are already forged."

The report said that pharmacists said that there are a number of drugs that contain ranitidine and nitrosamine, which are classified as carcinogenic.

The report reviewed the most prominent Houthi names that are active in investing in the medical sector and companies affiliated with Dr. Taha Al-Mutawakel and Saleh Al-Shaer.

The report indicated that Taha Al-Mutawakel, the Houthi leader, who holds the position of Minister of Health for the Houthis, invests in the medical and pharmaceutical field through his projects in Sana'a, such as Al-Yaman Al-Saeed Hospital.  And Unimax International Hospital.  And UniMax Company for importing medicines, and UniMax General Trading Company.

The report said that the well-known leader of the Houthi group, Saleh Misfer Al-Shaer.  He manages several import companies operating in the field of medicines and medical supplies, including Al-Shaer Import Company.  And Al-Shaer Company for the trade of medicines and medical supplies, and Al-Shaer Trading Establishment.

His brother, Abdullah Misfer, also manages the Abdullah Al-Shaer Foundation for Medicines and Medical Supplies, and the Abdullah Misfer Foundation for Import.

According to the report, Saleh Al-Shaer Trading Group extends to several companies engaged in import activities in general, including Al-Shaer Motors Import Company, Saleh Al-Shaer Import Company, and others.