According to the UAS Health Cost Observatory, it was shown that medicines in the country have a higher value than in the rest of the world, despite a greater number of industrial plants.
The drug prices In Argentina they continue to be one of the main topics in the field of health. Above all, when days ago the Government announced that it will promote imports to lower local costs. In a recent report by Health Costs Observatory of the Argentine Health Union (UAS), It was demonstrated how the country’s drugs have significantly higher values compared to other international markets such as Spain.
This report uses as an example a study promoted by the Argentine Health Studies Center -CESA-, where the prices of 13 frequently used medications are compared between our country and Spain. The data indicate that comparatively prices in our country are substantially higher, such are the cases of the Metformin, which in Argentina costs $34,517 and in Spain it is 2.90 euros, that is, about $4,350, or Diclofenac 75, which in Argentina costs $20,455 and in Spain 2.50 euros, that is, $3,750.
Medicines: more industrial plants, but higher cost
These figures reflect a trend that, according to the analysis, places Argentina in a disadvantageous situation compared to other countries with similar economic characteristics. The comparison with Spain is especially relevant, since both countries have a strong pharmaceutical industry. In Spain, there are 174 industrial plants dedicated to the production of medicines, while Argentina has 190.of which 160 are from national capitals. However, This productive capacity has not generated a decrease in prices in the local market, which shows a disconnection between the development of the industry and accessibility for consumers.
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Why don’t drug prices go down?
The UAS report highlighted that, despite having a pharmaceutical industry solid, the development of the sector does not translate into lower costs for consumers. Argentina is distinguished by being one of the countries with the largest number of drug production plants in the regionwhich should generate a competitive advantage in terms of price and availability. However, this does not happen. According to the document, the commercial strategies of pharmaceutical companies and the relative lack of competition within the local market have caused prices to remain highlimiting the population’s access to the treatments they need.
Sustained increase in drug prices
He increase of the drug prices in Argentina it exceeded the inflation rate in several periods, which further aggravates the accessibility problem. The UAS analysis shows that, Between January 2017 and September 2024, the cost of medicinal products and health equipment increased by 9,904.1%, a figure that is well above inflation general of the same period (7,076%) and the increase in prepaid installments (6,425.2%).
According to the report, although the State sometimes managed to reduce drug prices through centralized purchases, such as those carried out by PAMI, these reductions in the public sector often translate into higher costs for social and prepaid works. Thus, users of the private system end up absorbing the increases in costswhich has a negative impact on their ability to pay and access to health.
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The claim of the health sector
The UAS report suggests that the situation of drug prices in Argentina demands a intervention from public policies. It is argued that it is essential to have an approach based on objective data, which allows identifying theThe structural causes behind these increases and develop strategies to reverse the situation. Although the pharmaceutical industry in Argentina proved to be competitive in terms of production, the lack of competition in the domestic market and regulatory barriers They are helping to keep prices out of reach for many.
Source: Ambito
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