Discrimination in Iran Reaches Healthcare; Medications Unavailable

A field and analytical study by a media outlet in Iran indicates that the increase in the number of pharmacies has led to greater discrimination in people's access to medications across various regions and cities in Iran. The newspaper 'Ham-Mihan' reported on Saturday, September 9, addressing the issue of drug shortages in the country, stating that two years after the amendment of the pharmacy licensing regulations, 'there is no news of increased access to medications in deprived areas, nor more employment for young pharmacists.' The Vice President of the Tehran Pharmacists Association announced that the number of new pharmacies established in Iran is 'three thousand pharmacies.' The report references statements by Bahman Sabour, highlighting the dispersion of these pharmacies, and notes that investigations show 'not only have deprived areas remained empty, but some holders of new licenses have also turned their licenses into chain pharmacies for large rents.' The attractiveness of pharmacies in city centers has led to, according to Hadi Ahmadi, the Public Relations Manager of the Iranian Pharmacists Association, actions taken by 'some entities outside the health sector' that have resulted in 700 pharmacies in deprived areas closing and moving to city centers. Haidar Mohammadi, the head of the 'Food and Drug Organization,' also lamented the prevailing conditions in this sector, attributing the 'chaotic market' of drug access and pharmacy dispersion to the 'interference' of the Administrative Justice Court, the Competition Council, and the Regulatory Board, stating that 'this sector has been treated like other industries, and rulings have been issued to eliminate distances, and we are witnessing the consequences.' According to Mohammadi, when a license applicant has the right to choose, they will select a location that offers higher sales, resulting in a higher concentration of pharmacies in northern Tehran compared to the southern part. Beyond the reduced access to medications due to the imbalance in pharmacy distribution, the healthcare sector entered a drug supply crisis in July of this year. In this regard, the 'Mehr' news agency reported that 'we have passed three months of the year 1402, and drug shortages are becoming apparent, with recent reports indicating that drug shortages have reached over 200 items.' Mohammad Abdeh Zadeh, the head of the Syndicate of Human Pharmaceutical Industries in Iran, also claimed last year that the 69 trillion tomans budget for the 'Drug Support' plan is only sufficient for three months of the year. Haidar Mohammadi, in response to the causes of drug shortages in the country, stated that one of the existing problems is 'currency allocation,' expressing hope that 'given a meeting we had with the Central Bank, this issue will be resolved.' The government news agency, IRNA, also stated on September 2 that the drug shortage in the country is a result of the negligence of various agencies, noting that in the case of drug shortages, 'we should not only look to the Ministry of Health, Treatment, and Medical Education but also the negligence of the Central Bank, the Planning and Budget Organization, and the Ministry of Industry, Mine, and Trade is effective in this regard.' Since the beginning of 1401, when Ibrahim Raisi's government removed 'preferential currency' from the national budget, the increase in the prices of essential goods and medications has been particularly noticeable in household expenditure. Drug shortages have also been among the challenges faced by Iranian society over the past two years. Samaneh Ghadrkhan: Drug shortages in Iran are caused by a drug mafia that is affiliated with the IRGC and the government. The Islamic Republic and its priorities are 'unable' to meet the budget deficit for medications but 'capable' of providing 'currency' for Arbaeen. The petrochemical exchange rate has become 37,500 tomans; 'Farzin dollar' is being phased out. The expansion of poverty and reduced access to essential items; medications have also become subsidized. The Islamic Republic allocated 550 billion tomans for Arbaeen infrastructure.