Rotterdam, the Netherlands & Tehran, Iran – Researchers at the Institute for Medical Technology Assessment sought out to examine and describe the Iranian decision-making process regarding drug reimbursement and the role of the main stakeholders in this process.
In the study, “
Drug regulatory and reimbursement system in Iran,” the researchers revealed the pathway towards reimbursement. The decision-making process for reimbursing drugs in Iran is split between two ministries: the Ministry of Health and Medical Education and the Ministry of Welfare and Social Security. Ultimately, the Iranian Cabinet approves a drug and recommends its use to all health insurance organizations. Despite its strengths, the system faces various issues, including conflicting stakeholder aims, lengthy decision making, limited access to decision-making details and rigidity in the assessment process.
Amir Ansaripour, PharmD, a researcher at Erasmus University, states that, “Iranian policy makers need to reevaluate how new drugs are added to the reimbursement lists and possibly create a more efficient regulatory body.”
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