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Iranian Patients Still Suffer From Sanctions on Medicine

Despite the United States easing the ban on medicine, Iranian patients with serious illnesses continue to suffer from sanctions as well as government mismanagement.
Surgeon Nabiollah Shariati removes tape from the nose of his patient Amir Ahadi as his sister Reyhaneh waits for her check-up at the doctor's office in Tehran June 24, 2007.  REUTERS/Caren Firouz  (IRAN) - RTR1R44A

Although the US Department of the Treasury issued an advisory to encourage the sales of medicines to Iran and released an expanded list of basic medical supplies authorized for export to Iran, interviews with multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and the former head of the Iranian Hemophilia Society point to an ongoing and expanding scarcity of medicines in the country.

Over the past two years, Iran has faced the toughest, most comprehensive US-led sanctions to date. The sanctions target Iran’s oil exports, shipping, airlines, petrochemical and automotive industries, banking system and currency, which means they also target its people.

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