President of the Pharmaceutical Importers Association Joe Ghorayeb pointed out that the association has no affiliation with the registered importers recognized by the Ministry of Public Health, saying that these registered importers, in turn, are involved in marketing non-compliant drugs and engaging in illegal channels for smuggling.

He emphasized that it is the Ministry of Public Health's primary responsibility to arrest them.

Furthermore, Ghorayeb highlighted that smuggling was no longer confined to specific importers; some pharmacists are now collaborating in the smuggling operation by trading in counterfeit and forged medicines.