Iran Builds Strategic Drug Reserves Amid Sanctions Risks

TEHRAN (Iran News) Mehdi Pirsahebi, Deputy Health Minister and head of the Food and Drug Administration, said while medicines are not directly sanctioned, indirect effects through shipping inspections and financial transactions could cause difficulties. “The direct impact of snapback on pharmaceuticals is low, but challenges mainly arise in transportation—inspections of planes and ships can delay deliveries,” he explained at a press briefing ahead of the 10th Iran Pharma International Exhibition.

Pirsahebi emphasized that the unpredictable behavior of the international community complicates planning. “The world often acts irrationally. When attacks target our nuclear facilities, there is silence. So, we cannot predict whether they might also extend sanctions to medicines, ignoring humanitarian concerns,” he said.

To counter such risks, Iran began stockpiling essential medicines in June, a process that will continue for two months. “Our priority is the domestic market. Strategic reserves are being created without tapping into existing supplies,” he said, adding that purchases are being made gradually from domestic producers to avoid market disruption.

He acknowledged that some medicines sourced from Europe already face currency transfer issues, even without snapback restrictions. He urged physicians and patients to turn to Iranian and Asian brands when shortages of European products occur.

Pirsahebi confirmed that certain medicines are distributed in limited quantities under direct FDA supervision to prevent sudden depletion. “Some drugs require careful planning. If released all at once, shortages could occur later,” he said. These medicines are allocated in specific numbers to designated pharmacies.

On online drug sales, he noted that while the FDA supports regulated delivery systems, disagreements remain with other agencies over oversight mechanisms. “We believe monitoring must be comprehensive to prevent violations before they occur,” he said.

Pirsahebi also addressed reduced vaccine output at Iran’s two main state producers, Razi Institute and Pasteur Institute, which has led to temporary imports. He called for greater investment to ensure higher quality and sufficient volumes of older vaccines.

On plasma exports, he clarified that permits for 83,000 liters of outdated plasma were issued earlier, following full legal procedures. New plasma collections, he stressed, meet international safety standards.

Pirsahebi announced that the 10th Iran Pharma Exhibition will open this week at Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Mosalla, featuring 743 pharmaceutical companies from 28 countries under the theme “Sustainability, Resilience and Innovation in the Supply Chain.”

While direct participation from foreign firms has declined due to sanctions and global challenges, many are represented through local agents. Notably, China—currently the world’s largest supplier of pharmaceutical raw materials—plays a key role. A cooperation memorandum with China is also under discussion.

• The exhibition runs from September 23 to 25, highlighting Iran’s push for international engagement despite economic constraints.