Faced with exorbitant prescription drug prices, many Iraqis are seeking relief through traditional herbal remedies. One Baghdad resident, Umm Mohammed, was quoted a staggering $611 for a skin ailment medication. Unable to afford such a high cost, she opted for herbal treatments, a path increasingly trodden by those struggling with the nation's escalating healthcare expenses.

Herbalist Ibrahim al-Jabouri, who also holds a pharmacology professorship, confirmed a surge in patients seeking alternative treatments for various conditions, including skin diseases, digestive problems, and hair loss. While some embrace herbal remedies based on personal beliefs, many others are driven by financial necessity.

Dr. Haider Sabah, director of Iraq's national center for herbal medicine, acknowledged the financial strain on citizens, particularly those with limited incomes. He noted that the nation's healthcare system, once a regional leader, has been severely weakened by years of conflict, sanctions, and widespread corruption.

Although public healthcare services remain free, they are often plagued by shortages of medicine, equipment, and qualified personnel, forcing many to seek care within the more expensive private sector. Dr. Sabah highlighted a significant increase in licensed herbal centers in Baghdad, rising from 350 in 2020 to 460 currently.

The quality of these establishments varies considerably. Some offer professionally packaged, licensed products, while others operate in a more traditional manner, blending remedies from jars of dried herbs in front of their customers. Mohammed Sobhi, a seasoned herbalist who inherited his practice from his brother, observed that many who cannot afford conventional medicine often bypass doctors altogether.

However, physician Ali Naser cautioned against the dangers of substituting prescribed medications with herbal treatments without proper guidance. He cited a case where a patient who replaced his prescription with an herbal remedy developed severe diabetic ketoacidosis, requiring intensive care. Dr. Naser stressed the critical need for a robust healthcare system and a stronger regulatory framework for healthcare providers in Iraq.

Dr. Sabah confirmed ongoing efforts to monitor herbal medicine establishments, with ten closures since 2019 due to serious violations. He added that most identified violations are subsequently rectified.