Paraguay Pharma Chamber Promises Medicine Regularization, Agrees to Work with Social Security Institute

Luis Ávila, executive director of the Chamber of the Chemical and Pharmaceutical Industry of Paraguay (Cifarma), confirmed that a working group will be formed with the Institute of Social Security (IPS) to tackle medication supply. Ávila also pledged a swift regularization of pharmaceutical provisions, emphasizing that delivery timelines are influenced by production processes and coordination, rather than payment issues.

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With a purchase order, there is a delivery period, but that period does not always align with the medication production process.

Ávila explained that when the IPS issues a purchase order for medications, there is a variable delivery period. Injectables, for instance, can take over 45 days to produce, as manufacturers do not keep such items in stock. Imported supplies can further delay the process. He noted that both the IPS and the Ministry of Health have reduced their purchases in recent months, prompting suppliers to adjust their production levels. This adjustment is attributed to coordination issues rather than a lack of payments.

Regarding the medication shortage, Ávila reported that approximately 30 out of 120 affected items have been regularized between Friday and Monday, with the remainder expected to be resolved within the current and next week. "We make it clear that we remain open to working together so that the population and insured individuals do not suffer from shortages, but we need predictability regarding the IPS's requirements," Ávila stated.

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We make it clear that we remain open to working together so that the population and insured individuals do not suffer from shortages, but we need predictability regarding the IPS's requirements.

He detailed a positive opening from the IPS, with the working group expected to facilitate IPS requirements for the next 90 days. Ávila described the current situation as "the most critical moment" due to numerous outstanding orders. He stressed the importance of medium and long-term planning, noting that payment and budget are not the primary issues. Cifarma is working to find a solution for the debt owed to IPS, which amounts to $400 million. The IPS has committed to providing a payment plan for the coming months, distinguishing between demand, rotation, and the security stock needed to prevent shortages.

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It is very important to work in the medium and long term; that reality has been understood. Payment and budget are not a problem, we continue working to find a way out of the debt, which with IPS is 400 million dollars.