Iran's medicine prices soar amid supply squeeze

Tehran's medicine prices are soaring amid a supply squeeze, leaving patients and their families struggling as sanctions and a US blockade cripple the country's pharmaceutical industry. Intravenous medicines and over-the-counter painkillers have quadrupled in price within three months, while basic treatments for kidney dialysis patients have increased by nearly 350%.

The war with the United States and Israel has exacerbated the situation, with medical importers resorting to more expensive air routes to bypass the naval blockade. Insurers are struggling to pay pharmacies for drug coverage, owing $270 million in back payments. The government is trying to ensure hospitals receive supplies, but shortages of psychiatric medicines and annual flu vaccines are causing concern for patients and doctors alike.