Page 72 - GHES-3-3

Global Health Economics and
Sustainability
Pharmaceutical system in Iraq

medicines to achieve its healthcare goals (World Health their operations in Iraq. To enhance international
Organization, 2013a). Clinical pharmacists play a key role pharmaceutical companies’ commitment and participation
in minimizing medication errors and reviewing prescribed in the market, it is essential to adopt a reliable data system,
medicines for appropriateness (Al-Jumaili et al., 2016). including regular distributor audits, to ensure market
Thus, the development of efficient processes to optimize transparency. Inaccessible data, poor documentation, and
prescriptions should be a priority. limited access to available knowledge hinder the delivery
of quality healthcare services in Iraq, as they restrict the
5.4. Health information systems ability to respond to changes in pharmaceutical demand
Reliable and up-to-date information is essential for (Al Hasnawi et al., 2009; Institute of Medicine, 2000;
informed key decisions in healthcare settings (Chaudhry Institute of Medicine, 2001).
et al., 2006). The current health information system in In addition, Iraq lacks an active national health research
Iraq largely relies on paper documentation, and there is no system, making the healthcare sector more vulnerable (Al
electronic health information system (Al-Mosawi, 2020). Hasnawi et al., 2009). While pharmaceutical research and
This lack of information integration across healthcare clinical studies are limited in Iraq, the MoH established the Iraqi
facilities and government departments impedes continuity New Medical Journal in 2004, a peer-reviewed official medical
of care. The WHO has identified the lack of an integrated journal indexed in multiple systems to promote medical
information system that consolidates data from different research (Al Hasnawi et al., 2009; Republic of Iraq Ministry
subsystems as one of Iraq’s major healthcare system of Health, 2023). Numerous Iraqi universities also have their
challenges (World Health Organization, 2013a). The MoH own medical and scientific journals (Al Hilfi et al., 2013).
has also highlighted a shortage of health economists, Therefore, collaboration between universities and the MoH to
epidemiologists, and statisticians (Republic of Iraq identify critical research areas, address deficiencies in quality,
Ministry of Health, 2019a), which impacts its capacity for and pursue healthcare goals could be a valuable step. Iraq could
analysis, monitoring, dissemination, and rapid response not only benefit from international health publications but also
(Al Hilfi et al., 2013). contribute to the growing global medical literature.
The issue extends to the prescription system, where
the lack of a modernized record-keeping system further 5.5. Production and supply of domestic medicines
complicates efforts. This may be further exacerbated by Despite the presence of numerous pharmaceutical
the private sector being largely out of the public health companies in Iraq, the domestic pharmaceutical industry
information systems (Al Hilfi et al., 2013). The community has been in decline and has been largely neglected by
pharmacy system in Iraq is described as being like the policymakers (Al Hilfi et al., 2013; Lane & Al Hilfi, 2013).
Swedish system of the 1960s, where all dispensing activities The State Company for Drugs Industry and Medical
were done manually without electronic prescriptions Appliances (SDI) is one of the largest pharmaceutical
(Zebari, 2013). This raises concerns about pharmacists’ manufacturers in the region (Republic of Iraq Ministry
ability to prevent medicine misappropriation in the of Health, n.d.b). SDI was established in the 1960s and is
modern healthcare environment. currently operated by the Ministry of Industry (Tawfik-
Shukor & Khoshnaw, 2010). After the turmoil faced by
Although beyond the scope of this article, it is crucial
that Iraq adopts an efficient national electronic information Iraq in the early 2000s, SDI resumed operations and was
granted International Organization for Standardization
system. An integrated health information system is (ISO) certification in 2008 and 2013, with ongoing
important to build resilience beyond the pharmaceutical efforts to secure additional ISO certifications (Republic
sector, support the management of the healthcare sector, of Iraq Ministry of Health, 2019b). SDI operates several
address problems promptly, support the development accredited factories across Iraq, producing over 350
of policies, encourage international partnerships, and brand-new and generic medicines that meet international
support the development of healthcare finance and social standards (Republic of Iraq Ministry of Health, n.d.b).
insurance systems. However, while SDI once accounted for over 30% of the
Furthermore, the private pharmaceutical sector also domestic market production before the Gulf War II, by
faces challenges due to a lack of reliable data sources on 2021, its share had decreased to only 16%, with the rest
health and economics (Management Partners, 2013). of the market primarily supplied by the public sector
The near absence of electronic point-of-sale systems has (Republic of Iraq Ministry of Health, 2019b; World Health
made it difficult to collect and process sales information. Organization & Alwan, 2004). Despite this, SDI has taken
This lack of reliable market statistics has discouraged steps to increase its production capacity (Republic of Iraq
international pharmaceutical companies from expanding Ministry of Health, 2019b).

Volume 3 Issue 3 (2025) 64 https://doi.org/10.36922/GHES025110025