Nicaragua Pharmacy Market Heats Up

The arrival of Honduran chain Kielsa has raised fears over a market takeover and monopolistic practices.

Friday, June 28, 2013

"This is a Honduran chain entering the market using the hook of discounts and low prices, supposedly favoring large wholesalers, bankrupting small and medium business, and without any counterbalancing competition, they are the owners of the market," said the president of the United Pharmacy Association of Nicaragua (AFUN), Alberto Lacayo.

"We are working in coordination with (pharmaceutical) distributors to block any sale by this pharmacy. Unfortunately, our market is oversaturated with pharmacies," said the chief of AFUN.

According to the Deputy Eliseo Nunez, the state should be the one ensure market distortions are avoided. "This is job of the Ministry of Development, Industry and Trade (Mific), not the Ministry of Health because it is not a public health issue, but a market issue where it should be determined if they are using monopolistic practices," he added.

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