It has been reported that Inversiones Farmacéuticas Santa Lucía has acquired the 18 points of sale belonging to the Chavarría pharmacy group.
The Commission to Promote Competition (Coprocom) confirmed to Elfinancierocr.com that the buyer is "... Inversiones Farmaceúticas Santa Lucía S.A. and as sellers two companies are registered, namely: Farmacias Chavarría S.A.
Droguería Americana, S.A. de C.V. and C. Imberton, S.A. de C.V., are under investigation for allegedly agreeing on pricing and division of customers relating to the distribution of three medicines nationwide.
The companies investigated are alleged to have agreed to fix prices and divide up customers in relation to distribution of the medicines Cataflam Oral Suspesion9 Mg.120 Mil x 1 (5ml) - an antiinflammatory and antirheumatic-, Diovan Capsules.160 Mg x 14 - related to the cardiovascular system - and Lamisil Tablets 250 Mg.X 28 - topical antifungals used in dermatology.
Service stations are opting to incorporate pharmacies, small supermarkets and fast food services in order to diversify their income and provide greater added value.
Service stations in Panama are increasingly moving away from the old concept of gas stations, consisting of one or more gas dispensers and, in some cases, toilets.Now they are backing the idea of strengthening the supply of services at the point of sale, so that customers have an improved shopping experience.
Organization that operates in Panama, Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Guatemala.
Phone: (507) 65456121
Girasol Pharma is a school of clinical pharmacist contracted for Santos de Rey Medical Group, where it participates in the activities of direct attention to the patient in the management of pharmacological therapy, geriatrics and anticoagulation clinics.
Pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, medical tourism companies, laboratories, pharmacies and research centers are part of the new Costa Rican health chamber.
The group of health sector companies announced that they"... intend to work with the state to assist in generating solutions to the challenges of the health system."
The owner of Farmacias Fischel has announced the acquisition of 100% of the pharmacy chain La Bomba, in a transaction whose amount was not disclosed.
Grupo Cuestamoras, owner of the Fischel drugstore chain bought the pharmacy chain La Bomba, in a transaction that is still subject to approval by the Commission for the Promotion of Competition.
Through its subsidiary Pharmacies Kielsa, the honduran group has acquired Farinter Farmex a drugstore chain in a transaction whose amount was not disclosed.
Felipe Gurdián, president of the Association of Nicaragua United Pharmacies (Afun) confirmed the transaction, noting that the amount is unknown. Elnuevodiario.com.ni reports that "...Official statistics indicate that the pharmaceutical market in Nicaragua has a turnover of over US $80 million a year, of which US $40 million belongs to big pharmacy chains such as Kielsa and Farmex. "
In the last five years 63 new pharmacies and retail outlets began operating, reaching a turnover of $402 million in 2014, 70% more than in 2009.
In a market where large chain pharmacies are operating, sales have been growing steadily in recent years, reaching a turnover in 2014, of $402 million, according to data from Euromonitor.
An article on Nacion.com reports that "...Among movements such as the change of command of Cefa-Fischel, acquired by the national company Cuestamoras on 2 July, the competition is trying to differentiate itself in service values. "
The Cuestamoras group has announced the purchase of a majority in the Cefa-Fischel corporation, which operates a chain of pharmacies present in Costa Rica and Nicaragua, in addition to laboratories and other drug distributors.
The purchase request was filed with the Commission to Promote Competition by Cuestamoras on May 8, and is subject to approval.
The Ministry of Health has announced that it has agreed to pay in November $13.1 million of the $73 million that it owes for the purchase of medicines, and the rest in the first quarter of 2015.
After having made a payment a few days ago of $3.2 million, part of the total debt of which the state owes pharmaceutical companies, the government announced that an agreement has been reached for the remaining payments, one part will be paid this month and the balance next year.
Although the government has agreed to pay of the $41 million debt with the pharmaceutical companies, not all of them are participating in tenders for medicines.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Ministry of Finance agreed this year to pay a portion of the debt, of $16.4 million, but only $3.2 million would be paid immediately and the remaining amount during the month of November.
Between 2008 and 2013 the income generated by sales in pharmacies established in the country grew by 61% reaching $405 million last year.
The four strongest and most competitive market chains have opened new points of service have expanded their investments and plan to give the same continuity in 2015, despite the fact that a slight reduction in the historical rate of growth in the sector is expected, of approximately 2%.
Between 2009 and 2013 generic drugs lost ground to original brands, reversing a trend seen in the last five years.
The generics market in the country has a value of $159 million and represents 36% of the drug market.
Although their prices are lower than original brand name drugs, in recent years purchases by the public sector have been declining, while in the private sector they are growing but timidly.
15 pharmaceutical companies have been shortlisted to participate in price negotiations and purchase of medicines in the region.
The Central American Integration System (SICA) has presented a certificate of prequalification to 15 pharmaceutical firms, accrediting them with engaging in joint price negotiations and purchase of medicines in the region during 2014.
The government claims that the delay in the adoption of the eight outlets claimed by the company is due to red tape and not obstacles to investment.
"There is no obstruction. What there is is a process that must be met, and well, we have no problem with the eight more pharmacies added," said Orlando Solorzano, the Minister of Development, Industry and Trade (Mific) to Elnuevodiario.com.