The Superintendency of Industry and Commerce sanctioned the IPS Clínica de la Mujer SAS and the Santander Ophthalmological Foundation – Foscal, by breach the regulations of prices established by the National Commission for Prices of Medicines and Medical Devices.
The diligence carried out by the Investigations Directorate of the Delegation for the Control and Verification of Technical Regulations and Legal Metrology, which established that the SAS Women’s Clinic marketed 42 medications at higher prices to those established by Circular 12 of 2021.
One of the most serious cases, announced by the entity, was that of the medication Micardis -Telmisartan 80mg/1U, whose allowed price was $977.29 per unit and was sold for $11,361.00exceeding the allowed limit by 1062%.
Irregularities were also recorded with medications such as Risperdal and Zinacef, with cost overruns of up to 1000% and 611%, respectively.
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Thus, through Resolution 77590 of December 12, 2024, it was determined that the Foscal sold 31 medications at prices above the maximums established by Circular 12 of 2021, including the medication Remodulin – Treprostinil 100mg/20ml (5mg/1ml), which is used for treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension, whose cost overrun reached 99.38%, doubling its allowed price from $29,719,693.79 to $59,253,750 pesos.
Are sanctionswhich amount to $712,647,276 for the SAS Women’s Clinic and $372,202,588 for the Santander Ophthalmological Foundation – Foscal, They seek to discourage similar behaviors and ensure that medicines are marketed at prices accessible to the entire population.
It is worth mentioning that these practices affect patients’ timely access to essential treatmentsindicated the Superindustry, in addition, they compromise the efficiency of the General Social Security System in Health and They put the health and lives of patients at risk by hindering their timely access to essential medicines.
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In this case, affected patients require high-cost treatments, such as those who depend on Remodulin, they are the most vulnerable to these practices.
VALENTINA DELGADILLO ABELLO
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