Iran is prepared to have close cooperation with Russia in medical and pharmaceutical fields, Iranian Vice President Mohammad Reza Rahimi said on Sunday, IRNA reported.
He made the remarks in a meeting with the visiting Russian Health and Social Development Minister Veronika Skvortsova.
'Despite sanctions and pressures imposed on the Iranian nation by big powers, Iran had made considerable progress in medical and pharmaceutical fields and it produces about 97 percent of its medical needs by itself.'
Rahimi called for all-out expansion of relations between Tehran and Moscow in all fields.
Russian health and social development minister, for his part, noted that she has been surprised by Iranian scientists and research centers' progresses in fields of production of medical items and pharmaceutical equipment.
'Russia welcomes expansion of ties with Iran in medical and pharmaceutical fields; collaboration between Tehran and Moscow would be beneficial to both countries.'
Russian health and social development minister arrived in Tehran on Sunday to confer with Iranian officials on mutual health cooperation.
The Russian health minister, heading a delegation in her visit to Iran, met with Iranian Caretaker Health Minister Mohammad Hassan Tariqat-Monfared.
During her stay in Tehran, Skvortsova also paid visits to Iran's health and medical institutions.
Iran and Russia have vast cooperation in different fields, especially in political and economic spheres.