Villarrica: Patients Criticize IPS Pharmacy Shortages Despite Official Assurances

Patients covered by Paraguay's Social Security Institute (IPS) in Villarrica are voicing strong criticism over the ongoing scarcity of essential medications. Despite assurances from national authorities regarding improved supply, those seeking treatment in the interior of the country report that the reality on the ground remains unchanged.

Individuals suffering from chronic conditions, such as hypertension and diabetes, are particularly affected. They describe waiting for weeks to receive medication refills. When new batches finally arrive at the IPS Regional Hospital in Villarrica or local health units, the limited supply is frequently depleted within just two or three days. This situation forces patients to make repeated, often fruitless, trips to the health centers.

The lack of consistent medication availability is a significant concern for the elderly and those with chronic illnesses, who depend on uninterrupted treatment. Many are compelled to purchase their medications from private pharmacies, incurring additional and often unaffordable costs.

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The lack of medications continues to be one of the main difficulties they face when attending the IPS Regional Hospital of Villarrica and the health units of the department of Guairá.

Dr. Julio Olazar, the IPS zonal director for Guairá, explained that the institute's medication distribution system differs from that of the Ministry of Health. Unlike regional health services that manage their own supply depots, the IPS relies on a central pharmaceutical warehouse in Asunción for all its regional facilities. Medications are typically received monthly, between the 12th and 19th of the month, and then distributed to Villarrica and other health units in the department.

However, insured individuals question the sufficiency of this monthly delivery schedule to guarantee a steady supply of their necessary treatments. The current system appears inadequate to meet the consistent demand, leaving many patients in Villarrica struggling to access the medicines they need.

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The IPS does not have a regional health park in Guairá from which medicines and supplies are distributed to the facilities, as is the case with the IV Health Region.