ECONOMY — March 31, 2026
Herat Residents Report Rising Prices of Iranian and Pakistani Medicines
Herat residents report that prices of Iranian and Pakistani medicines have surged due to Taliban-Pakistan border clashes and war in Iran, rendering treatments unaffordable amid medicine shortages and border closures. Essential drugs are scarce locally, further deteriorating health services.
The Ehtebar Desk — originates with Hasht-e Subh — 2 min read
Herat residents have complained about sharp increases in the prices of medicines imported from Iran and Pakistan, which they say have become unaffordable amid a weak economy.
Local residents attributed the price hikes for Pakistani medicines to border clashes between the Taliban and Pakistan, which led to a ban on imports and made the drugs hard to obtain. The closures at the Pakistan border have also prevented patients from traveling abroad for treatment.
Prices of Iranian medicines have similarly risen due to the war in Iran, with residents citing examples such as one drug increasing from 80 afghanis to 200 afghanis. Essential medicines are now scarce in local pharmacies.
These developments have worsened access to health services in Herat, where pre-existing problems in the health sector were already significant. Residents said patients unable to afford treatments or travel are left without options.
Read the original reporting at Hasht-e Subh →
Reliability assessment
Single source based entirely on anonymous 'sources' and unnamed residents; no named officials, direct attribution, or corroboration from multiple outlets; core claims of price rises and scarcities unconfirmed beyond these reports
The source language mixes facts with framing or advocacy wording. Hasht-e Subh: 'Heavy pressure on families', 'situation has become much worse', and 'weak economy' mix reporting with mild emotional framing and advocacy phrasing emphasizing hardships.
Independent web corroboration
An independent web search turned up no separate corroborating reports. Treat the account as single-sourced until more outlets pick it up.
Across the newsrooms
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Hasht-e Subh
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Framed
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Economy — Herat, medicine prices, Pakistan border, Iran war, Taliban
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