The index of shortage of medicines against three common diseases in Venezuela grows

The shortage of medicines to treat six high-incidence morbidities in Venezuela closed in January at 31.7% (AFP / File)

The shortage of medicines to treat six high-incidence morbidities in Venezuela closed in January at 31.7%, according to a bulletin released this Thursday by the NGO Convite, which monitors the availability and access to these drugs in Caracas and in 18 of the 23 states of the country.

“January closed with a general index of medicine shortages of 31.7%, according to the monitoring carried out on the active ingredients that make up the baskets of essential drugs to treat (…) seizures, acute respiratory infections, depression, diabetes , hypertension and diarrhea ”, says the letter.

He explained that the three morbidities with the greatest scarcity “continue to be” seizures, with 39.9%; acute respiratory infections, with 38.2%; and depression, with 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%.

“The greater availability on the shelves does not translate into accessibility due to the costs that, in most cases, cannot be paid by those affected,” remarks the NGO, dedicated to the protection of older adults.

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

Venezuela experienced years of general shortages that began to be covered in 2019, after shortages of medicines and food of more than 80%, which gave way to a parallel market of products with high prices, unaffordable for the majority of the population.

(With information from EFE)

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