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Humanitarian and social pressures will rise in Iran

Location:

IRAN

US sanctions are nevertheless causing major difficulties for importers. Even for trade that is technically exempt from sanctions, notably food and medicines, a lack of financial…

Maghreb smuggling crackdown may trigger border unrest

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MAGHREB

The growing problem of the informal economy in the Maghreb.

Tramadol control poses international medical risks

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INTERNATIONAL

Diversion from legitimate pharmaceutical stocks, counterfeiting, adulteration and false labelling are key problems. National and international responses emphasising stricter…

Iranian anger at US pandemic sanctions may be enduring

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IRAN

Public health structures were developed and expanded over four decades of war and isolation, allowing them to mobilise effectively against COVID-19 despite the negative impacts of…

Turkish health system’s troubles will stay a hot topic

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TURKEY

Government parties recently blocked opposition moves to hold a parliamentary debate on attacks on health workers. The government is proud of its heath policies, but the system is…

Egyptian health reform may discourage income reporting

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EGYPT

The system will create a new single state-run insurer, which will pay fees to both existing private and public hospitals that meet defined quality standards. This a major…

Algeria brain drain may grow no matter election result

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ALGERIA

One of the symptoms of the policy drift that has characterised Algeria during the latter part of Bouteflika’s rule has been the steady exodus of qualified professionals towards…

Lebanon’s economy has further to fall

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LEBANON

The central bank has struggled to address a deep financial crisis that, exacerbated by COVID-19, has impoverished a whole population. In addition to complex exchange controls, it…

Lebanese Shia will rely on Hezbollah parallel economy

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LEBANON

This promptly followed reports of a large explosion at a Hezbollah-linked fuel depot on a smuggling route across the Lebanon-Syria border, possibly targeted by Israeli planes.

Morocco leads by far North Africa vaccine roll-outs

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NORTH AFRICA

Elsewhere in North Africa, progress has been much slower, with Egypt, Algeria, Libya and Tunisia all facing delays in securing sufficient supplies of vaccines.