Head of Order of Pharmacists Joe Salloum confirmed that all the warnings issued by the syndicate about the smuggling of illegal drugs and the entry of counterfeit ones into Lebanon, in addition to the government's indifference towards what is happening in the pharmaceutical sector, contributed to the closure of the representative offices of global pharmaceutical companies in Lebanon.

"This could portray a dark image of Lebanon's reputation globally, which used to inspire confidence in Arabs with the availability of the best treatments and healthcare in Lebanon, and gave hope to patients waiting for new drugs to treat their critical medical conditions," Salloum said in an interview with Voice of Lebanon radio station.

Salloum pointed out that the cost of operating scientific offices is exorbitant, as they assist doctors in training and practical research, and on how to use advanced drugs and transfer knowledge to them.

He believed that the tracking system is not viable in the face of smuggling and counterfeiting, saying that patient health and the health system are at risk, and the malfunction will affect the entire system.