Healthcare companies say they have a duty to continue sending medicine to Russia, despite challenges posed by sanctions

The Wall Street Journal reported that healthcare companies feel an obligation to provide necessary medicines to Russia despite obstacles posed by sanctions and opposition to the war.

It would not be ethical to suspend deliveries for cancer or cardiovascular patients if the drug and crop divisions were still operating in Russia.

People will die or have severe consequences if their products don't get delivered to patients in need in Russia, according to The Journal.

In a statement last week, Johnson and Johnson said they are committed to providing access to their essential medical products in the countries where they operate.

Drug distributor AmerisourceBergen said in a statement on Wednesday that stopping the distribution of some pharmaceutical products would amount to a punishment.

There are larger social ramifications to consider. AmerisourceBergen said that making the decision to end the clinical trials our teams are supporting is a strike against medical innovations that may help patients across the globe.

The company said they would stop doing new business but would not stop current operations.

Many sectors have stopped doing business with Russia due to sanctions, and these statements from healthcare suppliers come at a time when that is the case. According to The Journal, there has not been a shortage of medicine in Russia since the country invaded Ukraine.

According to the outlet, western imports for healthcare are minimal in Russia, but as much as 85% of the drugs made in the country do depend on imported materials.

According to healthcare companies, sanctions against other sectors could affect their ability to send medicine.

Lawrence Gostin, a public health law expert at Georgetown University, said that during times of conflict, this right of uninterrupted access to essential medical supplies has often been violated. Medical services and supply chains can be disrupted by sanctions.

The world's largest maker of diabetes medicines said that it could run into trouble because of a shortage of truck drivers in Russia and Ukraine.

Johnson and Bayer AG did not respond to Insider's request for comment.