The issue of accessing medicines in Chad remains a significant challenge for a large portion of the population. High prices, remote health facilities, and insufficient supply create an environment conducive to the development of an illicit pharmaceutical market. A recent report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) highlights the extent of the phenomenon in the sub-region, with a particularly concerning situation in Chad.
According to the UNODC report, published on October 6, 2026, between 2020 and 2025, 251 tonnes of medical products were seized in Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, the Central African Republic, and Chad. The intercepted volumes increased from around 5 tonnes in 2020 to nearly 116 tonnes in 2024, before exceeding 97 tonnes in 2025. However, the UNODC cautions that this progression should be interpreted with prudence, as it may also reflect strengthened controls and improved detection capabilities.
The UNODC report focuses on the trafficking of medical products in countries of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC). The situation in Chad and the Central African Republic is particularly alarming, with over half of the population living more than two hours away from a public hospital with emergency services. This geographical barrier, combined with financial constraints, forces many to seek alternative solutions.
The high cost of medicines and limited access to healthcare facilities drive many to the parallel market, which offers products at lower prices and closer to populated areas. However, this apparent accessibility comes with risks, as the quality, dosage, conservation, and origin of these products are often uncontrolled. This poses significant health risks to consumers.
The challenge for Chad lies in simultaneously reducing the cost of accessing medicines, addressing supply shortages, and decreasing the distance between populations and healthcare facilities, while strengthening the fight against clandestine circuits. Until households are no longer forced to choose between buying prescribed medicines or meeting other essential needs, the parallel market will continue to thrive.
The UNODC report emphasizes that the progression in intercepted volumes may indicate improved detection and control measures. Nevertheless, the reality behind the trafficking statistics is a social issue: the high cost of medicines can be a significant barrier to accessing healthcare for a population with largely limited incomes.
To address this issue, Chad must develop strategies to make medicines more affordable and accessible. This includes investing in healthcare infrastructure, improving supply chains, and implementing effective measures to combat the illicit market. The goal is to ensure that all individuals have access to quality, affordable healthcare, reducing the reliance on the parallel market.
Key points
- The high cost of medicines and limited access to healthcare facilities drive many in Chad to the parallel market.
- The illicit pharmaceutical market in Chad and neighboring countries has seen significant seizures in recent years.
- Chad faces a substantial challenge in balancing the need for affordable medicines with the need to combat the illicit market.
