The decrease is in year-on-year terms and represents about 3,700,000 fewer units consumed than in December 2023. They fear that this implies an abandonment of treatments.
In December, the purchase of medicines showed a sharp year-on-year drop, particularly in the segment of those consumed by retirees. The increase in prices and reduction in coverage was extremely harmful for older adults.
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According to a statement from Center for Pharmaceutical Professionals (CEPROFAR)In the last month of last year, the acquisition of medicines contracted 14% versus December 2023, equivalent to about 5,100,000 fewer units. Likewise, the comparison against October 2023 results in a collapse of 35% (17,380,000 monthly units).


With greater strength, the decline in purchases through PAMI amounted to 22% year-on-yearwhich represents 3,700,000 units. While, against October 2023 it reaches 32% (6,400,000 units).
The units refer to containers of medicines that are no longer purchased, which is why may correlate with dropped treatments every month, which makes the numbers worrying.
The causes of this collapse
“Retirees bore the brunt in 2024 in terms of their access to medicines. In addition to the loss of free coverage, there are significant price increaseswell above the average increases to the general public and inflation (+240% vs 81.8% and 117.8%, respectively)”, CEPROFAR highlighted.
“To the above it must be added that many medications are now considered within what is called ‘‘Eventual Coverage’now having a discount of only 40%,” the entity stated.
It is worth remembering that Starting in March, laboratories were allowed to increase prices to their members by 5% monthly above inflation.. This was reaffirmed in November 2024 when a new supply agreement was signed with the laboratories, allowing a variable monthly increase in prices, above inflation.
Source: Ambito

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