TEHRAN: Naser Riahi, president Association of pharmaceutical importers of Iran, said that Iran imported drugs worth $1 billion in a year.
The majority of the imported drugs include single drugs as well as those needed by patients with cancer or rare diseases, he said.
Riahi added that another part of the imported drugs are those with domestic rivals, but imported still because the replica is not of the same quality or comes short in number to cover the demand.
“The current policy by the Health Ministry is to restrict drug imports and support production,” he asserted.
“But we also believe that as support is given to domestic producers, the quality of the products must also improve, which does not happen unless there are powerful foreign producers in the market with high-quality products.”
The official added that the 11th administration crisis formerly created by storing drugs at depots in customhouses was resolved, leading to a sufficient supply in the market.
“Import companies also did a lot in cooperating with the Food and Drug Organization to decrease prices,” he noted.
Riahi also said that the Iranian drugs market is worth 80,000 billion rials (24,500 rials making USD1).
Iranian Food and Drug Organization Director Rasoul Dinarvand announced Jan. 27 that the country’s drug export had hit $150 million.
In recent years, international sanctions have made it difficult for Iran to acquire drugs from abroad, so the country has tapped its domestic know-how to meet the shortage.
Iranian authorities have often said they welcome the situation as a chance for self-realization.
