Middle East airspace disruptions risk delaying critical medicines

Disruptions to Middle East airspace are forcing pharmaceutical companies to reroute cargo flights carrying temperature-sensitive medicines, raising concerns about delays to shipments of treatments, including cancer drugs.

Airlines are diverting aircraft around closed corridors over Iran and parts of the Gulf, adding hours to delivery times and complicating cold-chain logistics, Reuters reports.

Industry executives say longer routes increase the risk of temperature fluctuations that can damage sensitive biologic medicines.

Companies are now shifting shipments through alternative hubs in Europe and Asia while monitoring supply risks if the conflict persists.