The cheapest medicines are found in Nicaragua, while those in Guatemala are the most expensive.
The Central American Consumer Protection Council published a study on the consumer prices of a basket of 30 brand name medications and another with 30 corresponding generic medications in 284 pharmacies in Central American capitols.
According to an article published in elnuevodiario.com.ni, a basket of 30 original medications costs $53 in Nicaragua, $61 in Costa Rica, $63 in Honduras, $68 in Panama, $75 in El Salvador, and $77 in Guatemala.
A project for the joint purchase of medications was presented at the XXIV Meeting of the Health Sectors from Central America and the Dominican Republic.
Proceso Digital reports: "The Honduran Minister of Health, Carlos Aguilar, said that he believes that in the short term they will find a "legal and administrative mechanism that will allow for said purchase" because, he acknowledged, "there are countries that have different legislation" make it hard to have a regional consensus."
The amount for the purchase of medication in 2009 increased by $18 million due to inflation and a greater number of clients
The budget increase was caused by the increase in the price of medication due to inflation and the increase in policy holders and beneficiaries, said the director of National Purchases and Supply of the Social Security Agency, Ulises Santos.
Four years after forming an alliance to take the Similares Pharmacies to Guatemala, Rigoberta Menchú Tum and Mexican, Victor Gonzalez Torres have separated.
This business story started on a spring night in Mexico. Customers were enjoying a seafood platter covered with red wine in the French restaurant at the luxurious Intercontinental Presidential Hotel.
The Guatemalan government refused to give in to demands from the pharmaceutical industry for a new contract between the two sides that would include higher prices. Both parties opted instead to continue the present agreement until next year.
In February agreement was reached on a 6 percent price increase through August, but the industry wants to raise it to 15 percent.