The health ministry spokesman , Harirchi added: "This leaves just 2 percent of pharmaceutical drugs which are imported from abroad. These drugs are rare and expensive, and often hard-to-find."
Elsewhere in his remark, Harirchi said: "Price increases for pharmaceutical drugs will be below the rate on inflation for this year (current Iranian year 1397 )."
Asked whether increase in the value of US dollar or the falling value of Rial , might affect the price of pharmaceutical drugs and medical equipment in Iran, Harirchi said: "Both the Parliament (Majlis) and the government have ensured that for purchase of pharmaceutical drugs and medical equipment, the dollar value remains fixed, at the official government-controlled exchange rate, and hence fluctuations in the value of US dollar, or other currencies, do not affect the price of medicinal drugs and medical equipment and hospital expenses in any way."
Commenting further Harirchi said: "Pharmaceutical companies, patients, doctors, the general public, and the media must not be worried about shortage of medicines or rising prices for pharmaceutical drugs or rising cost of medical treatment. There is no need to worry. This is just enemy propaganda, and we are going to defeat this propaganda."
