June 2, 2025 – During the third press conference for the Iran Health Exhibition, Dr. Ali Jafarian, Senior Advisor to the Minister of Health, highlighted the ministry’s official support for the Iran Health Exhibition, which will be held from June 8 to 11. He underscored the necessity of integrating resources across the healthcare sector at this event.

Dr. Jafarian reported that there are about 3,000 registered companies in the field of medical equipment in Iran, with roughly 2,000 being actively engaged. In the pharmaceutical sector, 1,500 companies are registered, of which 56 are considered effective players.

He noted that a total of $3.5 billion in foreign currency has been allocated for pharmaceuticals and medical equipment. With the shift in the exchange rate policy, he warned that if foreign currency allocations are not managed properly, financial pressures may increase for the public. The ministry’s policy is to prevent out-of-pocket expenses from rising and to ensure that price differences are covered from other sources, keeping medicine prices reasonable and managing other influencing factors carefully.

Jafarian emphasized that Iran Health Exhibition is a national platform and a unique opportunity for advancing the domestic healthcare industry. The exhibition facilitates the presentation of local products and enhances cooperation between government, private, and academic sectors. He pointed out that a significant share of domestic medical equipment is now produced by local companies, and the government is committed to supporting the growth of these firms, despite the strong role of the private sector.

He added that high-tech equipment is still mostly imported and funded through the NIMA foreign exchange system, while the main goal remains to boost synergy and reduce challenges faced by local manufacturers.

Jafarian also addressed the issue of self-sufficiency, clarifying that it should focus on areas with competitive advantage. While most pharmaceutical raw materials are imported, a substantial portion of final production occurs domestically, highlighting the need for further regulatory development.

Looking ahead to the exhibition, Dr. Jafarian expressed hope that with broad participation, the Iran Health Exhibition will showcase the country’s industrial, technological, and scientific capacities. He reaffirmed ongoing government and Ministry of Health support for knowledge-based companies, stronger public-private cooperation, and optimal use of domestic infrastructure, considering the exhibition an essential platform for achieving self-sufficiency and meeting national healthcare needs.

The Iranian Syndicate of Medical Equipment Exporter also plays a key role in these collaborative efforts.