Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 3
By: Khalid Kazimov - Trend:
Scientists at Iran Polymer and Petrochemical Research Center have established a production line for a drug used to treat prostate cancer which has been produced only in the US so far.
"The industrial production line for leuprolide acetate was launched and made operational. The drug is an injectable product for prostate cancer. It is a replica of an American drug with the same function," Mehdi Nekoumanesh, the center's managing director said, Mehr news agency reported Feb. 3.
He added that the drug can also be used in treating uterine fibroids and infertility.
Nekoumanesh noted that the American-made version of the drug costs $400 and said that now Iran can not only cover its domestic demand, but also export the drug to other countries as the second country producing it.
He further explained that Iran intends to start exporting the drug by first trying markets in Syria and Yemen.
"The drug rivals the American-made version. Not only that, at our center the 3.5-mg grade is also made available whereas the US version comes only as the 7-mg grade," he pointed out.
In recent years, international sanctions have made it difficult for Iran to acquire drugs from abroad. Thus, the country has tapped its domestic know-how to meet the shortage.
Iranian authorities have often said they welcome the situation as a chance for self-realization.
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