According to CNN, as US sanctions intensify, ordinary Iranians suffering from chronic and serious illnesses are struggling to find the medications they rely on for survival. Several Iranian pharmacies contacted by CNN confirmed shortages and price increases across multiple categories of drugs, including heart medications (now offered in locally made generics instead of prescription brand-name drugs), cholesterol-lowering drugs (available but much more expensive), and migraine medications (completely removed from shelves). However, Iranian media reports indicate that the shortages are far more widespread, affecting everything from antidepressants to insulin and pregnancy medications. Other drugs are completely unavailable, forcing Iranian patients to face astronomically high prices or less effective generic versions. Shahram Karantari, president of the Iranian Pharmacists Association, stated at a press conference last month that the shortages have affected nearly 800 medications, with pharmacies unable to procure alternatives due to rising costs. Mehdi Pilsalaihi, head of Iran's Food and Drug Organization, stated in February that over 97% of Iran's medicines, by volume, are currently domestically produced. The hardest hit are imported specialty drugs that require payment in hard currency. In addition, Mohammad Hashemi, a spokesman for Iran's Food and Drug Administration, told Iranian state media in June that earlier this year, US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran damaged more than 40 pharmaceutical companies, equipment suppliers and distributors.
