Iran Self-Sufficient in Pharmaceutical Production: Deputy Minister


TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Deputy Health Minister Iraj Harirchi announced that the country has become completely self-sufficient in terms of pharmaceutical production.  

Speaking to Tasnim correspondent in the western city of Sanandaj, Harirchi categorically rejected rumors about a shortage of pharmaceuticals in Iran and said, “Currently, we have no shortage of medicines in the country.”

“We assure people that most of the essential medicines have been stored (to be used) in over six months and some of them in more than a year,” he noted.

Domestic scientists produce a variety of original and high-quality medicines and people can meet their needs, the deputy minister went on to say.

In a speech in February, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Iran exports drugs to neighboring and non-neighboring countries and even to Europe.

In November 2018, the Middle East’s biggest pharmaceutical factory specializing in the production of anticancer drugs was inaugurated in Iran.

As the US sanctions against Iran have made it difficult for the people of the country to have access to some medications such as anticancer drugs, the factory is providing a wide range of such medicines for patients.

Iranian experts have in recent years made great headways in using modern medical technology to cure a broad range of diseases inside the country, making Iran a top destination for medical tourism.