Health Minister Pledges at Iran Med 2025 Opening: Medical Equipment Companies’ Debts to Be Settled Within Two Weeks

The Iran Med 2025 Exhibition opened with the participation of the Minister of Health and Medical Education. During the ceremony, Mohammad Reza Zafarghandi announced improvements in foreign-currency payments to pharmaceutical and medical equipment companies, stating that a significant portion of their outstanding debts would soon be settled.

Speaking on Thursday, October 9, at the opening ceremony of the Iran Med 2025 Exhibition of Medical, Dental, Laboratory, and Pharmaceutical Equipment and Supplies at Shahr-e Aftab, Zafarghandi said that the new resolution approved by the heads of the three branches of government, along with an agreement between the Ministry of Health and the Central Bank, would improve foreign-currency payments in the healthcare sector. According to him, most of the debts owed to medical equipment and pharmaceutical companies will be paid within the next two weeks.

Ministry of Health and Central Bank Reach Agreement on Foreign Currency for the Healthcare Sector

Referring to recent negotiations with the Central Bank, the Health Minister explained that important agreements concerning the provision of liquidity and foreign currency required by the healthcare sector had been reached during a meeting with the Governor of the Central Bank.

He emphasized that these agreements would soon be finalized and signed, and that their implementation could alleviate some of the financial difficulties faced by companies in the medical equipment and pharmaceutical industries. According to Zafarghandi, a stable supply of foreign-currency resources is essential for maintaining stability in the medical equipment market and ensuring the continued operation of domestic manufacturers.

The Importance of the Iran Med Exhibition Amid the Country’s Economic Conditions

In another part of his remarks, Zafarghandi highlighted the importance of holding the Iran Med 2025 Exhibition. He stated that the event holds particular significance under the country’s current economic conditions and reflects the resilience and dynamism of healthcare professionals and industry leaders.

According to the Health Minister, exhibitions of this kind provide valuable opportunities to showcase the capabilities of domestic companies, develop industrial cooperation, and strengthen interaction between manufacturers and healthcare professionals.

Improving Medical Equipment Quality and Expanding Regional Exports

The Health Minister identified improving the quality of pharmaceuticals and medical equipment as one of the ministry’s main priorities. He stated that continuous collaboration between manufacturers and clinical professionals could lead to faster identification of problems and improvements in product quality.

Zafarghandi emphasized that this collaboration would support the production of higher-quality products and ultimately play an important role in safeguarding public health. He also described the expansion of medical equipment exports to regional countries as a national necessity, stressing that it should not be regarded merely as a limited industrial activity.

Medical Equipment Export Negotiations with Regional Countries

The Health Minister announced that negotiations had taken place with several regional countries regarding medical equipment and healthcare technologies. He stated that countries such as Indonesia and Malaysia were interested in expanding cooperation with Iran in the field of medical equipment exports.

According to Zafarghandi, discussions have even been held with these countries concerning the transfer of liver transplantation technology. These negotiations could pave the way for expanded scientific cooperation and the export of Iranian medical technologies.

Private-Sector Participation in Healthcare Decision-Making

At the conclusion of the ceremony, the Health Minister asked the head of the Iran Food and Drug Administration to ensure active participation in the Medical Equipment Pricing Commission and to convey the views of industry stakeholders as a representative of the private sector.

He emphasized that private-sector involvement in healthcare decision-making could contribute to better policymaking and improve the efficiency of the medical equipment industry.