Pharmaceuticalization of Society: A Sociological Study of the Dimensions of Pharmaceuticalization in Iran

The aim of the study is investigating key sociological dimensions to explore concerning trends and transformations in the pharmaceuticalisation of society in Iran. This qualitative study was conducted using the method of content analysis based on analogy and six key sociological dimensions identified by Williams, Martin, and Gabe were considered as the basis for the analogy.Then, texts including documents, articles, news, and reports related to the pharmaceuticalisation, were selected and analyzed. Seven key sociological dimensions to explore concerning trends and transformations in the pharmaceuticalisation of society in Iran were identified, five of which are similar to the study by Williams, Martin, and Gabe consist of: 1-Selling sickness with the components of expanding the drug market and corporate construction of disease; 2-changing forms of governance with the components Shifting perspective on health, inefficiency of regulatory system and corruption in the pharmaceutical industry, weakening of the generic plan, and pharmaceutical innovation; 3-The role of the media with the components of propaganda about medications in shortage, reframing of health problems in the media, Advertising of medicines, selling pharmaceutical products online; 4- the role of consumers and patients with the components of self-medication and Obtaining medicine without a doctor's prescription, Patients mobilize to protest drug shortages; 5- The use of drugs for enhancement. In this study, two other dimensions of pharmaceuticalistion in Iran were identified, including: Weakening the physician's gatekeeper role and pharmaceuticalisation by herbal products and traditional medicine. This study shows that the problem of pharmaceuticalization is not limited to developed countries, and in developing countries like Iran, the pharmaceuticalization of society can also take place.