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Paraguay's Social Security Institute Reports Lower Critical Drug Stock, But Shortages Persist
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Health & Science

Paraguay's Social Security Institute Reports Lower Critical Drug Stock, But Shortages Persist

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • The Paraguayan Social Security Institute (IPS) reports a reduction in critical drug stock levels, but pharmacies remain understocked.
  • Officials cite bureaucracy and cost overruns as ongoing barriers to accessing vital treatments for insured individuals.
  • The IPS faces challenges with oncological, biological, and immunosuppressant medications, where administrative delays directly impact patient care.

Paraguay's Social Security Institute (IPS) has reported a decrease in critically low drug stocks, yet the crisis persists, leaving pharmacies empty and patients struggling. The IPS administration acknowledges progress but points to persistent bureaucracy and cost overruns as major hurdles delaying access to life-saving treatments for its insured members.

Thanks to our extreme, extreme austerity in the management of public affairs is how we are facing this. They left us a rather weakened institution. We have exhausted our dairy cow. We have reached this inconceivable situation.

— Isaías FretesThe IPS President lamented the dire state of the institution upon his administration's arrival and the challenges in managing public resources.

During a recent board session, IPS directors discussed the precarious medication supply situation affecting the institution's healthcare network. Urgent concerns were raised regarding patients with complex pathologies, highlighting the critical need for efficient pharmaceutical procurement. The board emphasized the difficulties in managing essential drugs, including oncological, biological, and immunosuppressant medications, where administrative delays translate directly into life-threatening consequences for thousands of insured individuals.

Cecilia Rodríguez, manager of Supply and Logistics, presented a report indicating that critical stock levels have fallen to approximately 11%. While this figure remains concerning, she noted it represents a significant improvement from the nearly 40% critical stock observed when the current administration took over. This reduction is attributed to stringent austerity measures and diligent management of public resources.

We would be close to 11% critical stock.

— Cecilia RodríguezThe manager of Supply and Logistics provided an update on the reduction of critically low drug stocks.

However, IPS President Isaías Fretes stressed the human drama behind the administrative processes. "Illness does not wait, and the insured, in their desperation, cannot understand that sometimes it is not that we do not want to, but that a protest appears and stops the entire process," Fretes stated. He lamented the institution's weakened state upon their arrival, suggesting it was left in a precarious condition that exacerbates the current challenges.

Illness does not wait, and the insured, in their desperation, cannot understand that sometimes it is not that we do not want to, but that a protest appears and stops the entire process.

— Isaías FretesThe IPS President highlighted the urgency faced by patients and the impact of administrative delays on their treatment.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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