Pharmaceutical Smuggling From Iran To Neighbouring Countries Is Alerting

The country registers an average increase of 12% in pharmaceutical manufacturing every year

According to a report published by the Tehran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (TCCIM) the outbound smuggling of pharmaceuticals to neighboring countries has provoked ongoing debates over the past few months.

Based on the opinions of professionals in the fields of food and drugs, outbound smuggling has resulted in the shortage of medication in several border towns. In this regard the Government Spokesman (Ali Rabiei) has recently said that: “Pharmaceuticals’ outbound smuggling accounts just for less than 8% of the total drug market.”

“Smuggling medication inside passengers’ suitcases is highly unlikely. Passengers are only allowed to travel with reasonable quantities of medication and should declare the amount they need to customs bureaus,” he was quoted as saying by Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture’s news outlet.

In another investigation, Morteza Khatami, the deputy chairman of the Health Commission of the Iranian Parliament (Majlis), said: “Low prices of medication in the country, which are eight times cheaper than those in the neighbouring countries have paved the way for outbound smuggling.”

Also, Mahmoud Najafi Arab, the head of the Health Economy Commission of TCCIM has said: “The country registers an average increase of 12% in pharmaceutical manufacturing every year, but this year production has risen by 40%.”

“The good quality of the Iranian medicines, besides their cheap prices, are the main causes behind their smuggling to neighbouring countries”. Haleh Hamedifar, the deputy head of TCCIMA’s Health Economy Commission, told to a news agency.

“Although it is not possible to provide a precise figure on the amount of the pharmaceutical smuggling to destinations out of Iran, but it is continuing at higher levels than before, as evidenced by growing sales of drug firms and consumption. I personally believe that medicine prices in Iran are remarkably underpriced; they are even cheaper than consumer goods sold in supermarkets,” she said.

“The pricing of medication is carried out by the government; and even the prices of other products are increasing, but pharmaceutical prices have remained unchanged for unknown reasons.”