National pharmaceutical companies have been making progress and on an average two new drugs have been produced per month since the new government took office in 2013, said Health Minister Hassan Qazizadeh Hashemi at a ceremony to introduce Iranian pharmaceutical industry achievements, on Saturday. Iran imported $1.3 billion worth of medicines in 2012-2013 which dropped to less than $1 billion in 2014-2015. Domestically produced drugs constituted 57% of the local market in 2011-2012, but surpassed 70% in the current Iranian year that began in March, he said IRNA reported. Referring to the shortage of 300 medicines during the previous administration, he said that that has now decreased to 30 items. Pharmaceutical exports have also seen a two-fold growth. The ceremony was attended by First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri and head of the Food and Drug Administration Rasoul Dinarvand.
© Financial Tribune Daily and Contributors 2014-2025