What are Iran radiopharmaceuticals and why do they matter now?

They are radioactive drugs for imaging and therapy. Iran announced 70 additions on December 29 and a rhenium-188 cream for skin lesions. For Germany, the news raises questions about pricing, supply resilience, and compliance. Actual access will hinge on EU exemptions, bank willingness, logistics, and regulatory approvals.

Can German hospitals import Iranian radiopharmaceuticals today?

EU rules allow humanitarian trade in medicines, but sanctions screening, financing, and shipping remain difficult. Hospitals would need approvals, validated quality data, and secure payment channels. Even if legally permitted, Iran radiopharmaceuticals face bank de-risking and tender requirements, so broad imports into Germany are unlikely in the short term.

What is rhenium-188 cream used for?

It is a topical radiopharmaceutical under study for treating certain skin lesions, including some cancers and precancerous conditions. Iran says it is the second producer. For Germany, clinical acceptance would require strong trial data, regulatory clearance, and safety monitoring before any hospital uptake or pricing effects could emerge.

How could this affect German investors in 2025?

We see three channels: tender references that affect pricing talks, higher compliance costs across oncology supply chains, and optionality during shortages. Investors should track EU guidance, bank policies on humanitarian flows, distributor MOUs, trial readouts, and hospital RFPs mentioning Iran radiopharmaceuticals in dermatology or palliative care contexts.

Global Market Insights

December 29: Iran’s radiopharma surge tests sanctions and EU suppliers

ByHuzaifa Zahoor December 29, 2025December 29, 2025

Iran radiopharmaceuticals entered headlines on December 29 as officials added 70 products to the national list and touted progress in diagnostics and therapy. This includes becoming the second producer of a rhenium-188 cream for skin lesions. For German investors, the move touches oncology supply chains, sanctions risk, and hospital budgets. EU medical exemptions exist, but financing and logistics can still block trade. We assess what this could mean for pricing power, supplier diversification, and compliance costs in Germany’s health-care ecosystem today.