The cost of treatment in Iran has reached crisis levels. This problem is no longer just an economic pressure; it has become a factor that determines who can continue their treatment and who must delay it or abandon it halfway. About 43 percent of total health expenditures are paid out of pocket by the people, indicating the heavy burden of treatment on households.
The Crisis of Therapeutic Poverty
The exponential increase in drug prices, shortages of medical supplies, and the deterioration of healthcare infrastructure have all contributed to a new crisis known as 'therapeutic poverty.' In this situation, a patient is no longer just a patient; they become an economic calculator and must choose between medication, rent, and other essential costs. There is a prescription, there is a doctor, but the problem is that the ability to pay for treatment has disappeared.
In such circumstances, part of the treatment is usually omitted. A test is postponed, a doctor's visit is canceled, and the patient delays purchasing medication in hopes of an improvement in their situation. This 'for now' is one of the most costly words in health economics.
Privatization of Disease Risk
In an efficient healthcare system, the patient should make decisions about diagnosis and treatment methods; they should not have to check their bank account beforehand to see if they can afford the medication. This situation has severely impacted health equity. While the wealthy can purchase private treatment, low-income families and retirees have no safety net.
The real crisis is that the number of people who can afford treatment costs is continuously decreasing. In this situation, medications become expensive, but the share of treatment in people's lives alarmingly decreases. A society where its people are forced to eliminate essential living expenses or forgo treatment to continue their care is facing a crisis of access to health.
