Iran achieves over 90% self-sufficiency in pharmaceutical production

TEHRAN, Iran (MNTV) — Iran now produces more than 90 percent of its required medicines domestically, marking a major milestone in the country’s pharmaceutical industry, according to the Tehran Pharmacists Association.

Arash Mahboubi, board member of the association and faculty member at Shahid Beheshti University, highlighted this progress during a live program, noting that the achievement has significantly reduced reliance on imports and helped the country save billions in foreign currency.

Mahboubi recalled that at the time of the Islamic Revolution, Iran had virtually no domestic pharmaceutical capacity, with most drugs either imported or manufactured under foreign licenses. 

Over the past decades, however, the efforts of young scientists and pharmacy graduates have transformed the sector into one of the strongest in the region.

He noted that while more than 90 percent of medicines are now produced locally—with some reports putting the figure as high as 98 to 99 percent—the remaining 10 percent that are imported still account for 18 to 50 percent of the sector’s foreign currency costs.

Official data showed that last year Iran allocated about $3.5 billion for medicines and equipment. Without domestic production, Mahboubi said, this figure could have risen to between $10 billion and $15 billion.

Emphasizing quality, he expressed confidence that adherence to international standards under the supervision of the Food and Drug Organization would ensure the safety and reliability of locally manufactured drugs.