Taliban and Iran Sign Agreement on Pharmaceuticals and Medical Equipment
Iranian media report that the Taliban administration and the Islamic Republic of Iran have signed a memorandum of understanding in the field of pharmaceuticals and medical equipment. The agreement aims to supply medicine, enhance technical capacities, and train human resources in Afghanistan.
According to a report by Shafaqna, a delegation from the Taliban’s Ministry of Public Health, led by Deputy for Food and Medicine, Hamidullah Zahid, traveled to Iran for one week starting December 17. During the visit, the delegation toured facilities and centers related to drug and medical equipment production and held discussions on technical cooperation.
As part of the visit, the two sides explored the pilot launch of a drug registration and quality control system in one of Afghanistan’s provinces—a project that could potentially improve drug market oversight if implemented.
Hamidreza Enanloo, Acting Director of International Affairs at Iran’s Food and Drug Administration, stated that specialized training in drug registration processes and quality control laboratories are key areas of cooperation. He added that Iran is ready to provide the necessary equipment and machinery for Afghan pharmaceutical factories.
Iranian officials emphasized that the participation of Afghan representatives in specialized events such as “IranPharma” and “IranHealth” could pave the way for expanded technical, industrial, and commercial collaboration. However, they noted that the implementation details of the agreement will be finalized following further negotiations.
These developments come amid rising tensions between the Taliban government and Pakistan, which have led to border closures and the suspension of drug imports from Pakistan. The move has raised concerns about secure access to essential medicine and the need for reliable alternative sources for Afghanistan.
