Preferential Currency for Medicine Not Removed, Food and Drug Organization Denies Broad Price Hikes

Mohammad Hashemi, spokesperson for Iran's Food and Drug Organization, said on Thursday, August 20, 2026 (29 Mordad 1405) that the preferential currency allocated for medicine has not been removed, and that a change in the rate for some pharmaceutical intermediate materials does not mean broad price increases for medicines. According to Donya-e-Eqtesad, he stressed that the Health Ministry's policy remains focused on preventing the financial pressure of currency fluctuations from being passed on to patients.

The comments come after months of rising free-market dollar rates that had fueled concern among patients and industry figures about the fate of the preferential currency for medicine and the possibility of rising drug prices.