Medication shortages persist at IPS in Presidente Franco despite promises

Patients at the IPS (Paraguayan Social Security Institute) in Presidente Franco are denouncing ongoing medication shortages, particularly for those with chronic illnesses. They report being forced to purchase their treatments with their own money, as promised reductions in shortages have not yet reached the interior of the country.

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We are going to receive the batch of medications, surely it will arrive next week. It is starting to be loaded.

Dr. Julio Daniel Brambilla, director of the local health unit, admitted that the facility has faced a deficit of certain medications for about two months. He expects a new shipment next week, stating, "We are going to receive the batch of medications, surely it will arrive next week. It is starting to be loaded."

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We have to buy every 15 days and it costs G. 120,000 a box.

Brambilla confirmed that essential drugs for hypertensive, diabetic, and high-cholesterol patients are among those in short supply. He explained that a small batch of medications received about a week prior was insufficient to meet the growing demand, exacerbated by an increase in patient flow.

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We always lack everything, even other medications. I've also gone to Ciudad del Este and they don't have it either.

María Resquín, an insured patient, stated she hasn't been able to obtain valproic acid, used for epilepsy treatment, from the IPS for four to five months. "We have to buy every 15 days and it costs G. 120,000 a box," she lamented. Veneranda Galeano shared similar frustrations, noting that she frequently has to buy medications for her mother that should be covered by insurance, costing her family over G. 700,000 monthly.

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My mother ends up spending more than G. 700,000 on medications that should be covered by insurance.