Pharmaceutical Supply Shortages in Global Markets 2025-2026

Situation

Widespread medicine and contraceptive shortages affecting major cities across Iran, India, Russia, and Tunisia, with Iranian officials claiming strategic reserves remain adequate while citizens face critical gaps in essential medications including insulin, blood thinners, and emergency contraceptive

Key Evidence

• Reported event: Essential medicines including insulin, blood thinners, and sertraline have become severely scarce in Iranian cities, with residents unable to obtain prescribed medications despite searching extensively. 1 source
• Reported event: Residents of Iran continue to report high prices and irregular availability of medicines despite official assurances of adequate strategic reserves and import orders. 1 source
• Reported event: Britain relies heavily on imports for medicines and healthcare equipment. 1 source
• Reported event: Pharmacies in Sousse are experiencing shortages of emergency contraceptive pills. 1 source
• Reported event: Similar medication shortage alerts have been issued since January 2025 in Sfax and Tunis, Tunisia. 1 source

What Could Change

Developments that could shift our assessment — sources are currently split on these possibilities.

• Britain is a few weeks away from medicine shortages ranging from painkillers to cancer treatments if the iran war continues.
• Cancer medications may not arrive on time to some patients due to closure of shipping centers in dubai and doha that must maintain cold temperature storage.