New, Strict, and Deterrent Penalties for Unauthorized Medical Interventions
The Head of the Supervision and Accreditation Center for Medical Affairs at the Ministry of Health announced ongoing efforts to monitor and identify unauthorized individuals practicing medicine. He stated that the central supervision program of the Ministry of Health and the Attorney General’s Office is being implemented nationwide to prevent non-medical professionals from intervening in medical procedures. Universities of Medical Sciences have been instructed to enforce the monitoring strategies designed to identify unauthorized practitioners in the medical field.
Increase in Legal Cases Against Unauthorized Practitioners
Dr. Jalal Ghafarzadeh reported that more than 10 cases have been filed in Tehran since the implementation of the Ministry of Health and Attorney General’s supervision program. One case has already led to a temporary detention order, and the number of legal cases against unauthorized medical practitioners in Tehran is increasing due to ongoing monitoring efforts.
Additionally, a violation was detected within a hospital, emphasizing the need for continuous hospital surveillance to eradicate such incidents.
Many unauthorized individuals perform outpatient cosmetic procedures, some of which—such as “implant procedures”—can be extremely dangerous.
Stricter and More Effective Legal Penalties
The penalties for unauthorized medical interventions, outlined in Article 3 of the Regulations on Medical, Pharmaceutical, and Food Safety Laws, have been updated for the first time in 29 years. These newly revised penalties aim to strictly punish unauthorized medical practitioners.
Updated Penalties Include:
✅ Imprisonment
✅ Confiscation of Assets
✅ Closure of the Unauthorized Facility
✅ Criminal Conviction
Previously, the legal consequences for unauthorized medical practice were not strong enough to deter offenders, but with the new, stricter penalties, authorities expect a significant reduction in illegal medical practices. These enhanced penalties, combined with strengthened legal enforcement and coordination, aim to ensure that unauthorized individuals are held accountable and public health is safeguarded.
