In the last hours, the Government announced a momentous measure that will allow provinces to import medicines without requiring authorization from the National Administration of Medicines, Food and Medical Technology (ANMAT).
This decision of Governmentcommunicated by the Minister of Deregulation and Transformation of the State, Federico Sturzenegger, and confirmed by the Ministry of Health, seeks to reduce the costs of medicines and improve access to essential treatments throughout the country.
The measure responds to growing concern about the high cost of medicines in Argentina, which has led to low adherence to medical treatments. According to Sturzenegger, only 30% of patients follow their treatments properly due to high prices.
This situation is alarming, as many essential medicines expire without being used, representing a significant waste of resources. The governor of Mendoza, Alfredo Cornejo, was one of the first to request this flexibility to be able to import medicines from India, a country known for its competitive prices in the pharmaceutical sector.
The response of Government was positive, allowing Mendoza and other provinces to follow this path without the need to go through ANMAT controls, as long as they have the approval of an equivalent provincial entity.
The decision to allow the importation of medicines without the intervention of ANMAT has generated mixed reactions in the health sector. On the one hand, this measure is expected to significantly reduce drug costs, which could improve accessibility and adherence to medical treatments.
Worry
This is especially important in a context where inflation and the devaluation of the peso have seriously affected the purchasing power of Argentines. However, the measure of Government It has also generated concern among national laboratories and some health sectors.
The ANMAT is recognized for its rigor and independence in the evaluation of medicines, and its exclusion from the import process could put the quality and safety of the products entering the country at risk. National laboratories fear that competition from imported medicines at lower prices will affect their sustainability and capacity for innovation.
follow us on Google News and on our channel instagramto continue enjoying the latest news and our best content.