Gorgan, Golestan prov - Iranian pharmaceutical industry saves an extra dlrs 500 million on import of medicine, Health Minister Hassan Qazi Zadeh Hashemi said on Sunday.
He said that the Islamic Republic of Iran has planned to cut dependence on imports of medicine by $500 in line with Resistance Economy urged by the Supreme Leader.
Speaking to IRNA, Hashemi put Iranˈs annual imports of medicine at $2.5 billion.
He said the cut in medicine imports will provide domestic companies and producers with an opportunity to develop national capacity in pharmaceutical industry.
Hashemi stressed the importance of traditional medicine and voiced support for those who are interested in the field.
ˈTraditional medicine and herbal medicine are part of Iranian national culture and recommended in religious sayings,ˈ the minister said.
He revealed that insurance companies will cover herbal medicines within the next few years so that they can replace chemical medicines.
© IRNA 2014
