Iran Health Commission investigates rising drug prices and currency allocation

Iran's parliamentary health commission has launched an investigation into rising pharmaceutical prices and the disproportionate distribution of foreign currency used for medical imports. Fatemeh Mohammadbeigi, Vice Chair of the Health and Treatment Commission, stated that the committee has held meetings with medical equipment companies, insurance providers, and the Food and Drug Organization to address shortages and price hikes.

The commission has granted the Food and Drug Organization a two-week deadline to submit a report regarding currency allocation for importing medical equipment and securing essential and rare medicines. Mohammadbeigi emphasized that the commission will intervene to address any legal deficiencies identified during its ongoing inquiry.

Reports indicate significant price surges for several medications over the past year, with some items increasing by at least three times. For example, Amoxicillin prices rose from 320,000 to 1.23 million Tomans, and Clarithromycin increased from 450,000 to 1.58 million Tomans. These increases have forced patients to cover up to 80 percent of drug costs out-of-pocket.

Hossein-Ali Hajideli, Vice Chair of the Article 90 Commission, noted that discrepancies between prices approved by the Food and Drug Organization and the coverage provided by insurance companies are placing patients in critical situations. He suggested that drug prices should be updated in insurance systems before being listed in health ministry systems to prevent patients from bearing the cost of price differences.