Medicines run short in Iran under US sanctions

Iranian pharmacists warn of worsening medicine shortages as US sanctions and blockades disrupt imports of raw materials and finished drugs. Despite domestic production of most medicines, Iran relies on imports from India and Europe, now hindered by blocked southern ports, cancelled international flights, and strikes on pharmaceutical facilities during the US-Israeli bombing campaign. Strategic reserves are being tapped, and overland routes explored.

Hadi Ahmadi of the Iranian Pharmacists Association said about 60 medicines for life-threatening conditions like thalassaemia are in short supply, with no raw materials or medicines entering by sea during the naval blockade. A Tehran pharmacist reported even basic painkillers and common psychiatric medications are unavailable. Health Minister Mohammad Reza Zafarghandi acknowledged the economic blockade disrupts supply chains, noting that while medicines are officially exempt from sanctions, restrictions on foreign currency transfers and shipments impede access.

The US maintains medicine is exempt, but analysts say sanctions on air travel and financial channels indirectly harm pharmaceutical access. International banks avoid Iranian transactions despite exemptions, per the UK-based Bourse and Bazaar Foundation. India remains a key supplier via the Strait of Hormuz, but shipments and flights have declined.

President Masoud Pezeshkian reportedly transported pharmaceutical ingredients from India on his private plane during a Brics summit visit. One European drugmaker confirmed it did not restrict supplies but received no orders from Iranian authorities since June 2026. A retired nurse described visiting multiple pharmacies across Tehran to find her husband’s chemotherapy drugs.

伊朗药商警告药物短缺加剧，美制裁和封锁扰乱原料和成品药进口。尽管国内生产大多数药物，伊朗仍依赖印度和欧洲进口，但受南部港口受阻、国际航班取消和美以轰炸行动中制药设施袭击的影响。正动用战略储备并探索陆路。伊朗药剂师协会的哈迪· Ahmadi称，约60种治疗危重疾病（如地中海贫血）的药物短缺，海运原料或药物在此期间无法进入。一名德黑兰药剂师报告称，连基本止痛药和常见精神类药物均无法获得。卫生部长穆罕默德·雷扎·扎法格andi承认经济封锁扰乱供应链，指出虽然药物官方获豁免制裁，但外汇转账限制和运输受阻阻碍获取。美国称药物获豁免，但分析人士称对航空和金融渠道的制裁间接损害了药物获取。英国基金会称，尽管获豁免，国际银行仍避免伊朗交易。印度通过霍尔木兹海峰仍是关键供应商，但发货和航班已减少。据报道，总统马斯德·佩泽什基安在一次金砖峰会访问期间从印度运送制药原料。一家欧洲药企确认未限制供应，但自2026年6月以来未收到伊朗当局订单。一名退休护士描述了她在德黑兰多家药房间寻找丈夫化疗药的经历。