Statements by the Minister of Health of the Islamic Republic Regarding the Export of Iranian Medicines to '40 Countries' Amidst Domestic Drug Shortages and Price Increases

Bahram Einollahi, the Minister of Health in Raisi's government, stated that Iranian medicines will be exported to '40 countries around the world.' He mentioned that many countries consider Iranian medicines to be 'effective and successful.' These statements come at a time when the country has repeatedly faced the problem of drug shortages and high prices, with essential medicines for specific patients still being unavailable. Einollahi noted that in the past year, 33 new drug production lines have been established and 75 new drugs have been introduced to the market. The Minister's remarks about the production and export of Iranian medicines come despite the ongoing issues of drug shortages and high prices, particularly for patients with specific needs. Many have lost their lives due to the lack of medication, including Karam Amini, a journalist suffering from cancer who complained about the unavailability of cancer drugs and ultimately passed away. In June, the head of the Thalassemia Association of Iran stated that the mortality rate for this disease has increased sixfold since May 2018, with 260 thalassemia patients dying annually due to 'shortages and lack' of medication. Younes Arab added that Iranian-made drugs do not work for these patients. The use of low-quality raw materials in the production of domestic medicines and the side effects resulting from their consumption are among the issues raised regarding domestically produced drugs. Islamic Republic officials attribute the drug shortage problem to Western sanctions. Some specialists have previously pointed out that officials, under the guise of sanctions, prevented the import of the 'Desferal' drug for thalassemia patients to promote the sale of 'low-quality' domestic products, including those produced by the 'Osveh' company. The U.S. has repeatedly stated that the export of humanitarian items, especially medical and even sanitary supplies, to Iran is exempt from sanctions, and according to official EU statistics, the 27 member states of this entity exported over $2.4 billion to Iran in the first eight months of 2021. Iran ranks 85th in the world in terms of drug exports. Data from the 'Top World Exporters' website in 2022 shows that in the pharmaceutical export sector, Israel achieved the 21st rank globally and the first in the region with sales of $3.471 billion. According to these statistics, Turkey ranks 29th, Cyprus 46th, Pakistan 52nd, and the United Arab Emirates 61st. Einollahi again referred to Iran as 'one of the most successful countries in the region' in controlling COVID-19 and mentioned the production of six domestic COVID-19 vaccines. Official mortality statistics obtained from countries by 'Our World in Data' - which experts in Iran claim are significantly lower than the actual figures - indicate that Iran has had the highest COVID-19 mortality rate in the region. A recent study involving several Iranian researchers, focusing on 'vaccination speed,' shows that if Iran had conducted COVID-19 vaccinations according to Turkey's model, it could have prevented 50,000 additional deaths compared to the current mortality rate. Based on the same model, if Iran had followed Bahrain's vaccination model, it could have prevented 75,300 deaths, particularly among those over 50 years old. The preference for domestic vaccine production and the prohibition of Western vaccines by Ali Khamenei have been reasons for the slow COVID-19 vaccination in Iran, leading to the deaths of tens of thousands. Samaneh Ghadrkhan: The drug shortage in Iran is due to a drug mafia that is linked to the IRGC and the government. A research report by VOA; scientific assessment of the published research on the performance of the Barakat vaccine. A claim by Khamenei's special doctor: The 'Lancet' article about Mahsa Amini is 'an insult to the health staff.' Results of research on vaccination in Iran; tens of thousands could have survived. Shortage of medical facilities in Iran; Red Crescent: We will supply for Arbaeen pilgrims 'from other sources.' Shortage of specific drugs; the head of the Food and Drug Organization apologized to hemophilia patients. Concerns about serious drug shortages in Iran; a pharmacist told VOA: 'Even the supply of simple drugs has encountered problems.'