Iran lacks medicines – people reduce doses and delay treatment

US sanctions, the consequences of war, and high inflation have exacerbated the medicine shortage in Iran. The crisis has affected about 800 types of drugs. Patients are reducing dosages and delaying treatment. Insurance companies have accumulated $300 million in debt to pharmacies. Over 40 pharmaceutical companies have been affected by military strikes.

US sanctions, the consequences of war, and high inflation have exacerbated the medicine shortage in Iran, causing thousands of patients to face treatment disruptions. Iran's pharmaceutical market is experiencing serious supply disruptions. According to CNN, the crisis has affected about 800 types of medications. For some patients, this already means reducing prescribed dosages, delaying treatment, or choosing cheaper alternatives. Insurance companies have accumulated approximately $300 million in debt to pharmacies. Iran maintains a high level of domestic production: over 97% of medicines are produced domestically by volume, but dependence on foreign supplies has not been completely eliminated. Sanctions restrictions create additional obstacles for importing pharmaceutical ingredients and equipment. The situation has also been affected by US and Israeli military strikes, which damaged over 40 pharmaceutical companies.