Although Afghan opium has been a negative impact on Iran for many years, the country also benefits from opium production in Afghanistan. This article only focuses on how Iran is benefiting from Afghan opium production.
Iran benefits in terms of producing codeine from Afghan opium. The I.R. of Iran is one of a handful of countries (Democratic People's Republic of Korea and Myanmar) which recycles its opium seizures, in this case into codeine. Iran also seizes most of the world's opium on account of its border with Afghanistan -on average 7% of Afghan production- but also because it has the world's largest opium using population. The 630 tons of opium seized in 2017 was more than the estimated domestic consumption of 476 tons, making it the only country where seizures exceed the estimated consumption.
The conversion of opium seizures and other practices impact the work of the INCB which is responsible for monitoring the legal supply of, and demand for, opiates in addition to maintaining an acceptable global "balance" that accommodates the legitimate needs for painkillers and similar medicines. The INCB made its concerns public in the 1990s: "countries should not base a licit activity upon an illicit source, which is to be eliminated. Every exportation of seized opiate raw materials or products derived from seized opiate raw materials also hinders the ability of the Board to balance the supply of opiates with actual legitimate needs. Therefore, the Board urges Governments of exporting and importing countries to do their utmost to ensure that such transactions do not occur.
In Iran, this practice appears to have been already established as early as the 1970s. The seized opium is turned into morphine. This morphine is then reportedly used to produce codeine. Codeine production in Iran nearly tripled from 2013-2016
There are many codeine-based cough syrups produced in Iran and sold in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The source of codeine used in the production of these cough syrups is not clear. Also, it is important to highlight that level of opium seizures reported to increase sharply by Iran as of 2005 in which American sanctions for Iran has started.
Below presented codeine-based cough syrup is produced in Iran but sold in pharmacies in Afghanistan without any doctor prescription is needed.
Figure 1. Codeine-based Cough Syrup Produced in Iran but sold in Afghanistan
Overall, there are clear indications and evidence that Iran uses the Afghan opium to produce codeine and morphine and use them its well-developed pharmaceutical market. Iran markets such products not only within the country but also exports to other countries. So, Iran financially benefits from Afghan opium.
Lastly, both Iran and Pakistan financially benefits from seized Afghan opiates. But, although Afghanistan seizes huge amount of opiates, the country does not consider to benefit financially from these seizures. However, such an income can help the Afghan Government, which is currently depending on international financial support.
댓글