👉 The term "pharmaceutical weapon" refers to the use of drugs and other pharmaceutical products as a strategic tool in warfare or coercion, often by controlling access to essential medicines or exploiting vulnerabilities through the manipulation of healthcare systems. This can involve actions such as weaponizing shortages, using counterfeit or substandard drugs to destabilize populations, or leveraging pharmaceutical patents and pricing strategies to exert political pressure. For instance, during conflicts, one party might block the import of critical medications to weaken the opposing side, or they might use their control over drug supply chains to force compliance with demands. The weaponization of pharmaceuticals can also extend to the deliberate spread of diseases or the use of bioweapons, posing significant ethical and humanitarian concerns.
