Patient’s rights are an indispensable axis in defining standards for achieving clinical services. In 2002, for the first time, the Patients’ Rights Bill was drafted in Iran and was presented by the health department of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education. Considering the necessity of compiling a comprehensive text on patients ‘rights, the Patients’ Rights Charter in Iran was developed with a new and comprehensive look with the aim of explaining health care providers and observing ethical standards in the field of treatment.

The comprehensive charter of the patient’s rights is set out in 5 general axes and 37 clauses. The five pillars of the charter include the right to receive desirable services, the right to receive information in an appropriate and adequate manner, the right to choose and decide freely on receiving health care, the right to respect for patient privacy and respect for the principle of confidentiality, and ultimately the right to an effective complaints system.