A shortage of vital medicines has been one of the effects of the war raging in Syria, and has been described by the World Health organization as "a very critical situation." While Syrian pharmaceutical manufacturers struggle to produce under difficult circumstances, Syrians are struggling to gain access to critical medicines.
Watch the video and answer the questions below. Decide if the statements are True or False.
1. Before the crisis began, Syria was able to produce more medicine than it needed for the entire population.
a. True
b. False
2. There are 22 less pharmaceutical factories in Syria now than there were before the crisis.
a. True
b. False
3. Bansel Aljendi from the Avenzor factory says that they will continue to produce medicines even if they are losing money.
a. True
b. False
For transcript and answers see below.
Transcript and Answers:
"My mother has diabetes, we were getting insulin from state Pharmacies for free, but for more than a month they haven't had any."
Katia must now buy the medicine from private pharmacies who are either importing them at high cost or are getting them from smugglers that may not be able to ensure their quality. She now spends 35-40 USD every month on insulin, in a country where the average monthly income is around 300USD. And that's if she's lucky enough to get hold it. A shortage of vital medicines has been one of the effects of the war raging in Syria, and has been described by the World Health organization as "a very critical situation." Before the crisis began, Syria was able to produce enough medicine to almost cover the needs of the entire population. Many of those factories have had to close because of damage from fighting and the increased difficulty in transporting materials to them. Habib Abbud is the lab director of the Ministry of Health in Syria
"The number of pharmaceutical factories in Syria before the crisis was 77, now there are 55 factories producing medicine."
Western sanctions have also made it difficult for pharmacies to import the materials needed to manufacture medicine. Many Syrians have no choice but to buy smuggled medicines which may not have been transported properly for their safe use. That's why some factories, like this one, are still desperately trying to produce medicine amid the crisis.
"We are committed to this country and we are committed to the people and producing medicine at a reasonable price, we will keep producing medicine even if we are losing money, but we, like any other factory, have a limit as to how far we can go."
And if that limit is reached, Syrians in need of vital medicines will be leaving pharmacies empty-handed.
Answers:
1. b2. a
3. a
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