28 April 2026 — Expired and near-expiry medicines from India are reportedly entering Myanmar through informal cross-border routes, raising growing public health concerns, according to healthcare workers and pharmacy owners.
According to the initial local source, the medicines are transported via unofficial routes along the India–Myanmar border, particularly through parts of Chin State and Tamu township in Sagaing Region, before reaching local markets.
The supplies include essential medicines such as antiretroviral therapy (ART) drugs for people living with HIV, anti-venom, and other commonly used treatments.
A health worker in Kalay town said many of the medicines arrive close to expiry or have already expired, often due to delays caused by transport difficulties and ongoing conflict.
“Some medicines are already one to three months past expiry, while others expire during transport due to delays on the route.”
Rising medicine prices and limited availability inside Myanmar have increased reliance on cross-border supply. Many consumers turn to informal markets due to lower costs and limited access to official distribution channels.
Additionally, the local health worker added: “Medicines that were previously available through NGO clinics are now harder to obtain. Many people have no choice but to buy from India, where prices are cheaper.”
Health experts warned that the use of expired or substandard medicines could reduce treatment effectiveness and pose serious risks, particularly for patients requiring long-term care.
The restrictions on imports in recent years have contributed to the growth of informal supply routes, with medicines increasingly entering the country outside official systems.Local residents and health professionals have called for stronger monitoring and improved access to safe, affordable medicines to reduce reliance on unregulated markets and protect public health. – Reporting by Ben
