2023-05-18 18:21:00
Quito, May 18, 2023
The Ministry of Public Health (MSP) has joined efforts to strengthen health services, the supply of medicines, equipment, infrastructure and hiring of human talent. To date, there is 80% of the supply of medicines and medical devices nationwide.
This State portfolio has implemented four mechanisms for the acquisition of medicines and devices for the regular supply of its establishments, including: electronic catalog, nearby medicine plan, regular procedures (institutional auction, small amount, direct contracting) and through international organizations.
By 2023, the MSP has allocated $382,603,212 for the acquisition of medicines and $184,822,883 for medical devices. Carmen Guerrero, Vice Minister of Comprehensive Care, pointed out that “there are more than 2,100 health establishments in the country and the logistical process for their supply is complex. The goal will always be to reach 100% and we are working to achieve it”.
He also announced that, in the month of June, the supply is expected to reach 90%. “In this year, $560 million will be invested and at the moment $380 million has been invested, the total amount spent in 2022, which represents a 30% increase in the budget for the purchase of medicines and devices.”
With reference to the electronic catalog, so far in 2023, 4,287 purchase orders have been generated with partial monthly deliveries, which is equivalent to $43,678,982 corresponding to 383 medication items.
On the other hand, the Close Medicine Plan strategy was implemented since July 15, 2022 and has been applied in 18 hospitals in the country. To date, 203,591 prescriptions (prescriptions) have been issued, of which 70,293 have been dispensed and 133,298 correspond to post-dated prescriptions.
With the purchase through regular procedures, medicines for patients with hemophilia such as Factor VIII 250 IU KIT, Factor VIII 500 IU, Factor IX 250 IU, Factor VIII 1000 IU have been acquired.
Finally, the joint purchase of highly complex medicines and devices is carried out through international organizations such as the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and others. Around 50 medicines do not have national production or their production is reduced compared to the need of the systems.
The Ministry of Health, committed to guaranteeing the population’s timely access to health services throughout the country, develops strategies and executes joint actions to acquire safe and quality medicines.
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