The fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime has sparked new hope in Lebanon for the establishment of a functional State capable of addressing long-standing economic and structural issues. One of the most pressing concerns is the rampant smuggling of goods, particularly pharmaceuticals, across the Lebanese-Syrian border.

Illegal smuggling has been a significant contributor to Lebanon's economic collapse, with the pharmaceutical sector bearing the brunt of its impact. Speaking to Annahar, Joe Salloum, the head of the Lebanese Order of Pharmacists, expressed optimism about the changes that could follow Syria’s regime shift.

“With the fall of Assad's regime, the primary obstacle to the establishment of a State in Lebanon has been removed,” Salloum said.

He highlighted the devastating impact of smuggling on Lebanon’s healthcare system, pointing out that subsidized medications were frequently smuggled out of Lebanon through Syrian border points. These medications, intended for Lebanese patients, were being sold abroad, including in Iraq, at the expense of Lebanon’s heavily strained economy.

“One of the benefits of the regime’s fall in Syria is the potential to stop smuggling,” Salloum explained. “We hope to see tighter border control and an end to the smuggling of medicines in both directions. Most of the smuggled medications—whether Syrian, Iranian, or even Turkish—entered Lebanon through both legal and illegal Syrian channels. With the regime’s collapse, it is only natural for such activities to cease.”

Salloum further noted that during the subsidy period, high-quality medications, including cancer treatments, were smuggled to Syria and redistributed to other Arab countries. This left Lebanese patients struggling to access essential medicines.

In addition to subsidized medicines leaving the country, Lebanon also faced the influx of counterfeit and low-quality drugs, particularly from Syria, Turkey, and Iran.

“Open Syrian borders facilitated all kinds of smuggling, including counterfeit and substandard medicines entering Lebanon,” Salloum said.

Now, with new ruling groups emerging in Syria, Salloum is hopeful that the smuggling routes once controlled by the Assad regime will be shut down. He emphasized that addressing smuggling at all border points, including the airport and seaports, is critical for Lebanon’s future.

Salloum stressed that the establishment of a well-functioning State is essential for implementing effective reforms in Lebanon’s healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors.

“With the emergence of a real state, we can prioritize Lebanon’s interests and reclaim its role as the ‘Hospital and Pharmacy of the East,’” Salloum stated.

One of the key steps in this vision is the activation of the National Drug Agency, approved by Parliament over three years ago but stalled due to the lack of implementation decrees from the Cabinet. According to Salloum, this agency, modeled after the U.S. FDA, would have the authority to oversee drug registration, ensure quality standards, regulate pricing, and monitor the market.

“Establishing the National Drug Agency and issuing its implementation decrees would put the healthcare sector on the right track,” Salloum asserted. “This would also support local pharmaceutical manufacturing, encourage investment in the industry, and reduce the cost of medicines for Lebanese patients.”

Salloum called for stricter regulations to ensure that all medicines sold in Lebanon meet high-quality standards. He emphasized that drugs should only be distributed through licensed pharmacies and government healthcare centers, and no unauthorized pharmacies or substandard drugs should be allowed to operate in the country.

“Protecting Lebanon’s pharmaceutical sector from smuggling and counterfeit drugs requires decisive action. With a functioning state, we can finally address these long-standing issues and rebuild trust in our healthcare system,” Salloum concluded.

The fall of the Assad regime marks a pivotal moment for Lebanon, offering a chance to tackle the deep-rooted issues that have plagued its economy and healthcare sector. By curbing smuggling and strengthening its institutions, Lebanon can pave the way for a more stable and prosperous future.