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Iran pharmacies face crisis over unpaid insurance claims
Iran's pharmaceutical sector is facing a severe financial crisis driven by unpaid insurance claims, inflation, and economic sanctions. Industry leaders warn that the stability of the drug supply chain is at risk as pharmacies struggle with liquidity shortages.
Shahram Kalantari Khandani, head of the Iranian Pharmaceutical Association, reported that pharmacies are owed approximately 77 trillion tomans by insurance organizations. He noted that 8 trillion tomans in checks from pharmacy institutions have bounced, signaling a high risk of bankruptcy for many small businesses. Currently, private pharmacies provide about 80 percent of the country's pharmaceutical services.
In Tehran province alone, where 4,300 pharmacies operate, many are on the verge of closure. Dr. Behman Saboor highlighted that delays in insurance reimbursements prevent pharmacies from purchasing new stock from distributors, creating a breakdown in the supply chain. While the Social Security Organization recently released 3 trillion tomans toward outstanding claims, officials argue this is insufficient to address the massive scale of the debt.
Entities
Behman Saboor · Iran Health Insurance Organization · Iranian Pharmaceutical Association · Shahram Kalantari Khandani · Social Security Organization · Tehran · Tehran Pharmacists Association
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Checks totaling 8 trillion tomans from pharmacy institutions have bounced. www.rokna.net
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Many pharmacies in Tehran province face potential closure due to financial difficulties. www.khabarfoori.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Pharmacies are owed approximately 77 trillion tomans by insurance organizations as of August 2026. www.rokna.net
- [● 2 SOURCES] The pharmaceutical sector is struggling with sanctions, inflation, and economic constraints. iranmedicalinfo.com · negarmag.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] There are 4,300 pharmacies operating in Tehran province. www.khabarfoori.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Private pharmacies provide approximately 80 percent of pharmaceutical services in the country. www.rokna.net