Drug shortage index for three common illnesses in Venezuela rises

There drug shortage To treat six morbidities with high incidence in Venezuela closed in January in 31.7% Invitationwhich monitors availability and access to these drugs in Caracas and in 18 of the 23 states of the country.

“January ended with a general drug shortage index of 31.7%according to the surveillance carried out on the active ingredients that make up the baskets of essential medicines to treat (…) convulsions, acute respiratory infections, depression, diabetes, hypertension and diarrhoea,” the letter states.

He explained that the three rarest morbids “continue to be” convulsionsagainst 39.9%; acute respiratory infections, with 38.2%; and the depressionagainst 35.9 %.

The non-governmental organization pointed out that the cities in which the absence of these drugs is worse are Caracas, with 67.3%, San Fernando -capital of Apure (border with Colombia)-, with 55.5%, and San Juan de Los Morros – capital of Guárico (center) -, with 40.1%.

“Greater shelf availability does not translate into accessibility due to costs which, in most cases, cannot be paid for the people concerned”, notes the NGO, dedicated to the protection of the elderly.

The bulletin adds that the costs of active ingredients “frequently sought after on the pharmaceutical market to control high blood pressure, diabetes, depression or personality disorders have registered a significant increaseIn January who, in some cases, exceeded 50 %.

Venezuela has experienced years of general shortages that began to be covered in 2019, after shortages of medicine and food of more than 80%, which gave way to a parallel market of high-priced products, unaffordable for the majority. Population.

(With information from EFE)

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