The Iranian healthcare system is currently under significant strain, characterized by a lack of both common and specialized pharmaceuticals. According to reports, the cost of basic medications, including insulin and paracetamol, has risen sharply, making them inaccessible to many citizens. This crisis is largely attributed to the compounding effects of international economic sanctions and high domestic inflation rates.

The economic environment has forced a shift in how healthcare is financed in the country. With the government and insurance systems struggling to keep pace with rising costs, the burden has shifted heavily onto the individual. Currently, more than 70% of total healthcare expenditures are covered by patients themselves at the point of service. This out-of-pocket requirement has created a barrier for the most vulnerable populations, who are increasingly unable to secure necessary treatments for chronic and acute conditions. While the geopolitical context of sanctions is clear, the internal economic management and the specific impact of currency devaluation on pharmaceutical imports remain central to the ongoing supply chain disruptions.