Iranian Parliament Health Committee Warns of Healthcare Crisis, Some Drug Prices Rise by Up to 500%

The head of the Iranian Parliament's Health and Treatment Committee, Shahriari, stated that this year Iranian patients will need to pay 55% to 75% of medical costs out of pocket, while the prices of some medicines have risen by 400% to 500%. Payment arrears at some public hospitals have reached 10 to 12 months. Shahriari said there are reports indicating that patients are being asked to prepare their own clothing and some hospital supplies. He described the situation as "very abnormal and worrying" and attributed it to a lack of funding for hospitals.