Seven months into the US-Israel war on Iran, patients across the country are paying soaring prices for essential medicines, with some drugs costing three times more. Insulin prices have risen as much as sixfold, while gabapentin, acetaminophen, amoxicillin and fluoxetine have jumped by 220%, 375%, 285% and 100% respectively.

The crisis stems from a US naval blockade in place since June, which has choked off the imported raw materials Iran’s drug industry depends on. Iran manufactures more than 80% of its medicines domestically — 97% by volume, according to industry figures — but most active ingredients arrive from abroad. The currency has roughly halved in value, and more than 40 factories have been damaged by airstrikes.

The Iranian Pharmacists Association says about 800 products are in short supply, including 90 essential medicines. Tablets used in dialysis treatment are up 350%, and insurers owe pharmacies around $270 million in unpaid claims. Authorities have approved price revisions on 2,000 drug types in six months.

A shipment of 700,000 flu doses has arrived from China, and President Pezeshkian’s BRICS visit to India brought in pharmaceutical ingredients. But for Tehran families and pharmacists watching patients walk away empty-handed, relief cannot come soon enough.