Cancer patients in Iran face a severe crisis due to skyrocketing drug prices, leading many to abandon treatment. Experts highlight that lack of insurance and government withdrawal of subsidies are key factors. The trend underscores the urgent need for reform in healthcare support to ensure access to essential medications.
The escalation of drug prices in Iran has wreaked havoc on cancer patients, severely hindering their ability to afford critical medications. Healthcare activists report a disturbing trend, as an increasing number of patients are abandoning treatment due to high costs and inadequate insurance coverage. This crisis underscores the urgent need for systemic reform in health financing and support for cancer treatments.
Dr. Soheil Rahimi, an Iranian physician, addressed the alarming increase in drug costs at a recent seminar. He revealed that patients are increasingly expressing their desperation to physicians, stating, “in recent months, following the drastic surge in the cost of medicine and treatment, we have seen patients begging doctors to end their lives due to extreme poverty and financial desperation.”
Echoing these sentiments, Araseb Ahmadian, CEO of the Mahak Charity Foundation, highlighted the financial strain on families. He noted that the treatment costs for pediatric cancer patients can surpass two billion tomans, making it unattainable even for those with insurance. This financial burden often leads to delays in treatment, placing countless children’s health in jeopardy.
With the government withdrawing subsidies for various medications, drug prices have surged dramatically by 50% to 400%. While government officials attribute this to Western sanctions and decreased oil revenues, critics argue that the regime’s funding priorities are misaligned. Many citizens accuse officials of allocating resources to foreign aggressive initiatives rather than addressing domestic healthcare needs.
Salamat News reported on March 8 that the soaring treatment costs raise critical questions about accessibility to medical care. While advanced treatments like genetic therapies offer hope, their approval and insurance coverage processes are slow, forcing many to bear the burden of high costs.
Reza Jabbari, deputy chairman of the parliamentary health commission, discussed the desperate measures patients are forced to take. He noted that some patients resort to selling their essential medications due to hopelessness and financial ruin, stating, “this is not just a consequence of rising drug prices but also a reflection of widespread poverty.”
On February 25, Iranian pharmaceutical representatives reported a 16% decline in domestic production within the first three quarters of 2024 compared to the previous year. Experts suggest that over a 60% increase in financial liquidity is required to stabilize the industry. However, currency imbalances and mismanagement have led to worsening shortages in essential medicines.
A leaked letter from Mohammad Raeeszadeh, head of the Iranian Medical System Organization, to President Pezeshkian corroborated the severity of the situation. The letter indicated that private pharmacies are owed approximately 18 trillion tomans, compounding financial instability and leading to disruptions in the supply chain for necessary medications.
Despite the growing healthcare crisis, the Iranian regime, led by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, prioritizes military and nuclear ambitions over urgent humanitarian needs. With poverty and inflation exacerbating the crisis, it remains critical for authorities to intervene; otherwise, many vulnerable citizens will continue to face dire circumstances in accessing life-saving treatments.
In conclusion, the soaring drug prices in Iran have created an urgent health crisis, particularly affecting cancer patients who lack access to essential medications. Rising costs, compounded by governmental mismanagement and inadequate support systems, have pushed many into despair. Without swift action and reallocation of resources towards healthcare, the situation for Iran’s most vulnerable citizens is set to deteriorate further, making access to critical health treatments increasingly unattainable.
Original Source: irannewsupdate.com
