A member of parliament: Medicine shortage in Iran is approaching a "critical situation"

A member of the Islamic Consultative Assembly's Health and Treatment Commission expressed concern over the failure to implement the "transfer of drug exchange to insurance companies" plan, saying that in the Sizdah Aban pharmacy alone, which is the source of drug supply in the country, there is a shortage of 356 types of drugs, and the pharmaceutical industry is on the verge of closure.

On Wednesday, July 5, Abdul Hossein Ruholamini warned in a consultative meeting that the shortage of medicine in Iran is approaching a "critical situation" and that if the current trend continues, the country will face a "severe shortage" of medicine.

The MP noted that despite the allocation of a budget of 80 trillion tomans, "the approval to transfer the currency for medicine to insurance companies remains on the table" and "the government is not paying attention to the warnings."

He added that "the deputy ministers (of health) are not accountable" and that even if they threaten impeachment, "it will not get anywhere."

Mr. Rouholamini also criticized the performance of the former and current health ministers, saying that they all "should be tried for not implementing general health policies."

In late June of this year, the Pharmaceutical Industries Syndicate warned in a letter to Ebrahim Raisi, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, about the closure of production lines from July.

In April of this year, after the controversy over the removal of the preferential currency for medicines began, Radio Farda published a report on the pharmaceutical market in Iran, in which people spoke about the consequences of removing the currency for medicines, including shortages and high prices.

Source: Radio Farda