Sudan war triggers massive drug shortages and unsafe smuggled medicines

The three‑year civil war between Sudan's Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces has devastated the country's health system. More than 50,000 people have been killed and around 14 million displaced, while the World Health Organization has declared Sudan the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, with 21 million lacking basic health services.

Hospitals, health centres and pharmaceutical factories have largely shut down – 40 % of facilities nationwide are non‑operational, and in Khartoum 87 % are closed. The collapse of domestic drug production has led to a surge in smuggled, unregulated “Boko” medicines, many of which are improperly stored and potentially lethal. Patients like diabetic Murtada Mohieddin report spoiled insulin, and pharmacists warn that intravenously administered malaria treatments brought in through illicit channels pose severe risks of infection and systemic shock.

The shortage of essential medicines and the reliance on dangerous imports threaten the health of millions, compounding the broader humanitarian emergency caused by the conflict.