Fast Fix, Big Risk: Iran’s Antibiotic Overuse
WANA (Dec 18) – Imagine a day when you have just woken up and feel tightness in your throat, pain in your body, and a slight headache. The first conclusion you draw is that you have probably caught a cold, and at best, you start drinking plenty of fluids and eventually visit a doctor.
But in Iran, the process of diagnosing and treating colds and many common illnesses is often somewhat different: first, medication is prescribed and taken by the patient themselves, and only after some time—if it proves ineffective—will they visit a doctor!
It is enough for a cold to last a little longer or for the throat to burn more intensely; many people immediately go to a pharmacy and buy a package of antibiotics as a belt-and-braces measure — without a prescription, without a diagnosis, and often without any real need.
This behavior may, at first glance, seem like a shortcut to reducing pain and speeding up recovery, but in the bigger picture, it has placed Iran at the top of a troubling list: the highest rate of antibiotic consumption among 65 countries worldwide—a statistic announced by Dr. Azita Nabizadeh.
This number is not just a simple warning. It is a sign of a growing crisis—a crisis in which bacteria become resistant to drugs, and treating even simple illnesses turns into a serious challenge.
Why do Iranians consume so many antibiotics?
In general, three major factors play a role in Iran’s drug culture:
1. Easy access
While in many European countries—from Germany to France—antibiotics are prescribed only with a doctor’s prescription and after necessary tests, in Iran, buying them is almost as easy as buying a simple painkiller. This difference is the result of disparities in drug policies as well as long-standing habits in society.
2. Quick treatment versus slow treatment
Traditional Iranian medicine, before the widespread arrival of industrial drugs, had its own effective remedies for years, from herbal decoctions to Iranian medicine prescriptions to reduce inflammation and strengthen the immune system. However, these methods take time, require patience, and their results are gradual.
Iranian pharmacy. Social media/ WANA News Agency
In contrast, antibiotics give a sense of “quick treatment.” Exactly what people in Iran’s busy work lives feel they need. This high speed—whether real or perceived—has caused most people to turn to immediate but risky solutions instead of patience and careful care.
3. Self-medication: a long-standing habit
In Iran’s treatment culture, many people believe that “they know which medicine works for them.” This belief leads to the arbitrary use of drugs that, in the long term, do more harm than good. Domestic studies have reported the prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics in Iran to be between 21% and 86%.
A comparison with Europe: Why are they stricter?
In Europe, the health system has not only restricted antibiotic prescriptions but also made digital monitoring of prescriptions, precise recording of drug use, and widespread public education an inseparable part of drug management. The goal of these countries is clear: preventing microbial resistance.
In many European countries:
- They do not give antibiotics for the common cold because 90% of cases are viral.
- Even if the sore throat is severe, the doctor first conducts a rapid test.
- Patients do not receive medication without a prescription—even if they insist.
Iranian pharmacy. Social media/ WANA News Agency
In contrast, in Iran, social pressure on pharmacists, lack of public education, and weak enforcement of laws have made access easier.
Traditional Iranian medicine: a treasure being forgotten
Iran has one of the oldest medical heritages in the world, from Avicenna to lesser-known works of local sages. Many of these methods can still be used as complementary treatments to reduce inflammation, strengthen the immune system, and reduce the need for antibiotics.
Examples:
- Thyme and honey tea for a cough
- Eucalyptus steam inhalation to open airways
- Turmeric and ginger to reduce inflammation
- Jujube and borage flower for soothing the throat
However, as mentioned, these methods are slower and require consistency, so they are less favored.
Iranian hygiene; better than in Europe
Although Iranians top the list in antibiotic consumption, it is worth noting a positive and important point that is less mentioned: the overall hygiene status of Iranians.
In terms of individual and collective hygiene behaviors, Iranians are ahead of Europeans in many respects. This stems from religious teachings (such as performing ablution multiple times a day, emphasis on cleanliness, washing hands and body) as well as the culture of household cleanliness.
For example:
- Handwashing in Iran is much more common than in cold European countries.
- Daily bathing is normal for many Iranians, whereas in some European countries it is common every other day or even less.
- Iranians’ obsession with clean clothes and neatness raises individual hygiene standards.
- Cleaning the house and surroundings near the Iranian New Year, Nowruz, is known as “Khane Tekani.”
What is the solution?
According to the announcement of the Deputy of Health of Iran’s Ministry of Health, microbial resistance causes 1.27 million direct deaths worldwide annually, with about 5 million additional deaths indirectly related. If neglect continues, by 2050, this number will reach 10 million deaths per year.
Iranian pharmacy. Social media/ WANA News Agency
This means that if high-consumption societies, including Iran, do nothing today, even simple surgeries or common infections may become high-risk tomorrow.
To break this cycle in Iran, a set of simultaneous measures is necessary:
- Actual enforcement of the ban on sales without a prescription
- Widespread public education about the dangers of self-medication
- Promotion of Iranian medicine methods and non-antibiotic treatments for mild illnesses
- Use of information technology to monitor drug consumption
- Changing the public mindset from “quick treatment” to “principled treatment.”
- Legislation in the workplace to increase medical leave
Ultimately, the story of antibiotic consumption in Iran is not just a medical issue; it is a story about culture, the speed of life, old habits, and sometimes impatience with slow but healthy treatments.
In a world where bacteria are growing stronger every day, and the prevalence of various and new diseases is increasing, perhaps it is time for the health system to undergo a fundamental reconsideration: sometimes the best treatment is not a quick pill, but a slower path that ultimately strengthens the body and keeps society healthier.
