Spiraling health costs force Iranians to delay care

Iran's soaring medical expenses are forcing patients to delay or skip necessary treatments. A 70-year-old woman with advanced breast cancer was set to receive six rounds of chemotherapy at around 100 million Iranian tomans each, six times the country's minimum monthly wage. Rising prices, shortages, and disruptions in currency transfers have made it challenging for Iranians to access medical care.

A recent price hike of 120% for 82 medicines, announced by an Iranian pharmaceutical company, highlights the financial strain on patients. Donepezil, clarithromycin, and amoxicillin saw substantial increases, while some acetaminophen and diphenhydramine syrups rose by 135%. Even insulin users face steep price hikes, with a monthly prescription of NovoRapid insulin pens jumping from 280,000 tomans to 1.1 million.

Hassan Nayeb Hashem, an Iranian physician based in Austria, warns that reduced access to critical treatments could lead to severe complications or even death. Cancer patients are especially vulnerable due to tightly structured treatment schedules. Some patients resort to obtaining cancer medicines abroad, while others postpone or abandon treatment altogether.

Experts report a growing demand for medicines obtained through unofficial cross-border channels, but concerns about proper storage and the risk of counterfeit or expired drugs persist. Iran's pharmaceutical industry has been grappling with a weakening currency, rising production costs, and delayed payments from insurers for years. The current crisis has been exacerbated by US sanctions, which have further complicated pharmaceutical trade.