Tehran Doctors Sound Alarm as Medicine Imports Collapse
Imagine racing against time to save a patient—only to discover the life-saving drug they need vanished from shelves months ago. This is now daily reality for Iranian healthcare workers as U.S. sanctions trigger what locals call 'the great medicine drought.'
Behind the Pharmacy Counter
Dr. Amina Rezaei (name changed) showed CGTN Global Stringer her clinic's nearly empty storage room in Tehran. 'We ration antibiotics like gold dust,' she said. Pharmacy manager Hassan Tehrani described improvising with herbal alternatives: 'When parents beg for children's cancer drugs, I have nothing to offer but prayers.'
Sanctions' Ripple Effect
Iran's $2.3B pharmaceutical industry relies on imported raw materials—now stuck in customs due to banking restrictions. While humanitarian goods are technically exempt, suppliers reportedly avoid Iran deals fearing secondary sanctions. The result? Insulin prices up 400%, chemotherapy drugs scarce, and growing black market activity.
