Current Pharmaceutical Situation (Services) in Yemen and Future Challenges

Abstract

This article deals with Yemen’s current pharmaceutical scenario and possible future challenges that it may face. The manuscript provides an overview of health services particularly pharmaceutical services and the critical health challenges facing the people of the country. Details included are statistical data with regard to the health of the Yemeni population and their demographic backgrounds following administrative issues, policy for the medicinal trade and production, the regulation and financing. The manuscript also deals with the government’s action about medicines, their procurement, and distribution in the public sector, and the public perception of medicines. Rational use of medicines is determined by the knowledge and attitude of the consumers. Future challenges are also anticipated. World health systems have been facing an incredible transformation to address new challenges with regard to the demographics, disease trends, the emergence and the re-emergence of diseases along with higher costs of health care delivery. This has led to a comprehensive review of health systems and how they function to serve the masses. Some health systems do not seem to adequately provide services that really matter to the people and some deteriorate, following governments’ lack of efficiency in supporting and extending the services. Other issues can also affect the ability of the health systems to deliver including health administration, healthcare financing, the lack of balance of the human resources, inaccessible and poor quality services and the impact of modifications and reform prevalent in other economic areas.

Availability of Essential Medicines in a Country in Conflict: A Quantitative Insight from Yemen

“…In addition, an initiative to improve local manufacturing qualifications and abilities in the production of essential medicines to cover the needs of the people must be implemented, as stated by the WHO [ 39 ]. According to the Annual Report for Yemen SBDMA and the study by Alshakka et al, the local pharmaceutical industry in Yemen covers approximately 10–20% of the total market [ 40 , 41 ]; other medicines must be imported. The WHO program that supports the availability of medicines for some endemic diseases, such as HIV/AIDS and other diseases, has proven to be effective [ 42 , 43 ], and thus the expansion of this program to include the availability of essential medicines in poor countries and countries in conflict, such as Yemen, would be suitable.…”