According to a new regulation published on Venezuela's Official Gazette N. 40.136 on March 26, 172 products will be available without prescription.
IHS Global Insight perspective | |
Significance | According to the new regulation, 172 products will be exempt from prescription. These drugs will be classified by their active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and not by brand name. |
Implications | The measure, a direct consequence of the recently enforced mandatory prescription by API, is expected to cause a temporary slowdown in the delivery of basic public healthcare services as well as worsening shortages in the country, which have already reached a peak of 40%. |
Outlook | The new resolution is expected to be implemented this month, having major repercussions on patients, healthcare professionals, and pharmacists who will have to quickly adapt to the new list of drugs exempt from prescription. |
According to a new regulation published on the Official Gazette N. 40.136 on March 26, 172 products will be exempt from prescription in Venezuela. These drugs will be classified by their active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and not by brand name. According to Notitarde, the regulation, which is expected to come into force on 18 April, will cover drugs including: acetaminophen, boric acid, alcohol, benzocaine, clotrimazole, glycerine, ibuprofen, loratadine, sodic fluoride, and ambroxol. A full list of the drugs can be found here.
The new regulation has triggered anger among pharmaceutical associations, especially the Carabobo Pharmaceutical Association. According to the association's president Yelipsa Moreno, cited by the source, the measure is expected to create confusion for patients because they will have to visit different pharmacies in order to find the drug they need as it will not be distinguished by the brand name anymore, slowing down the process for pharmacists and creating delays for patients.
Outlook and implications
The measure, a direct consequence of the recently enforced mandatory prescription by API rule, is expected to cause a temporary slowdown in the delivery of basic public healthcare services as well as worsening shortages in the country, which have already reached a peak of 40% (see Venezuela: 26 March 2013: Venezuela to start mandatory prescription by API). Although in theory the measure is aimed at making the service smoother and faster for patients since they will not require prescriptions for the delisted drugs, this new mechanism is expected to create delays from pharmacies and suppliers, as well as generating major delays for costumers.
Although in the long term this measure is expected to widen access to drugs for all sections of the population, which will be able to choose from a wider range of cheaper generics, the immediate result is not expected to be positive. As the Venezuelan generics industry is still not fully developed, the country will have to rely on external imports to meet internal demand, an issue that may create further delays in supply to pharmacies.