Shortage of Essential Medicines and the Suffering of Patients in Iranshahr
A severe shortage of essential and life-saving medicines in Iranshahr has placed many patients—especially those suffering from serious illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and cardiovascular or respiratory diseases—under extremely difficult conditions. The lack of necessary drugs in local pharmacies and the negligence of relevant authorities have forced families to travel to other provinces or ask acquaintances in larger cities to send them medication. This situation not only imposes significant financial and time burdens but also poses serious risks to the health and safety of patients and their families.
According to local reports, many essential medicines, including those for chronic and rare diseases, have been unavailable in pharmacies across Iranshahr and surrounding areas for weeks. Some patients are compelled to travel to cities such as Zahedan or even other provinces like Kerman and Yazd in search of medicine. In some cases, families have resorted to buying drugs through intermediaries or unofficial networks, increasing the risk of receiving counterfeit or unsafe products.
Local sources report that the Iranshahr University of Medical Sciences has so far failed to take effective action or provide clear answers to affected families. Pharmacists attribute the crisis to delays in drug supply from distribution companies, a shortage of foreign currency for importing raw materials, and weaknesses in the province’s distribution network.
The continuation of this situation has caused widespread concern among patients and their families. While patients depend on regular medication for survival, official negligence has left many facing the risk of relapse or worsening health conditions. The lack of effective oversight and poor planning for equitable drug distribution have turned the medicine shortage in Iranshahr into an urgent humanitarian issue—one that, if ignored, could have serious and lasting consequences for public health in Balochistan.
