2024-11-02 02:21:00
After the announcement, a name was heard in healthcare and politics departure of Luis Carlos Leal from the Health Superintendence. It’s from the doctor Mario Andrés Uranmentioned four times in the press release published by that body on possible acts of corruption in four health promotion bodies (EPS). Urán is an old acquaintance of the healthcare industry and is recognized as a powerful lobbyist.
You might be interested in: Luis Carlos Leal leaves the Health Superintendency and joins the INS.
His career in the industry began in 1996 in Vice Presidency of Pensions of the Social Security Institutewhere he worked until 2004. The year in which he went to work at the administration of Lucho Garzón in Bogotá (who governed from 2004 to 2007) and where he became Undersecretary of Health. He was in that mayor’s office until 2006, then from there he made the leap to work at powerful and influential pharmaceutical companies.
It’s about Switzerland Rochewhere he was corporate affairs manager from 2006 to 2010. In that year, less than a month after leaving Roche, He became director of the liquidated EPS Caprecombecame the largest insurer under the subsidized healthcare scheme, where it was until 2012. Caprecom went into liquidation following an embezzlement He left millions in debt with public and private health service providers (IPS).
Second investigations by the Attorney General’s Office at that timethey found proof of it diverted nearly $4 billion to pay uncertified medical billsthat supplies of medicines have disappeared and that resources have been provided to work organizations linked to the same person.
While at the multinational Roche, In 2009, Urán promoted connections with the state for the purchase of 426,000 doses of Tamiflua drug that was supposedly used to treat swine flu (also known as A-H1N1). For these doses, the sum of $16 billion. However, because the impact of the virus was not as severe as expected, half of these items expired.
In fact in 2014 he was known for a research done by oenegé English Cochrane Collaboration compared to Tamifluin reality, it had no significant impact on the virus that alerted the world between 2009 and 2010, after epidemics in Mexico and the United States.
His political ties – which bind him to current allies in the government of President Gustavo Petro – allowed him to be, in 2012, about to become Juan Manuel Santos’ Minister of Health (2010-2018)but Alejandro Gaviria Uribe ended up winning the match.
Urán, according to the complaint of the Health Superintendency before the announcement of Luis Carlos Leal’s departure, would have interfered in the administration and management of health resources in several EPS. In response to a complaint received by the entity last September, it was an “alleged criminal association led by an individual, Mr. Mario Andrés Urán, for the application and management of the contracts at the same IPS by the 3 EPS involvedthrough his position as councilor at EPS Coosalud (did not intervene).”
From the Supersalud complaint, however, it appears that the insurers’ auditors submitted requests for prior authorization. Coosalud EPS SA and the interveners Western Health Service SA, Asmet Salud EPS and Emssanar EPS to Mario Andrés Urán for the request for direct transfers of resources.
Likewise, there would have been a “favoring specific laboratories and brands through a purchase plan allegedly directed by Mr. Mario Andrés Urán with Indira Ocando and Tony Negrette”.
By 2020, Uran was the commercial director of the Lafrancol pharmaceutical laboratorya company dedicated to the production of generic medicines in the region, according to The media alliance La Liga Contra el Silencio reported that year..
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Interview between Time.news Editor and Healthcare Expert on Luis Carlos Leal’s Departure and Mario Andrés Urán’s Appointment
Time.news Editor: Good morning, everyone. Welcome to this special segment on the evolving landscape of healthcare governance in Colombia. Today, we’re joined by Dr. Laura Castillo, a healthcare policy expert with extensive experience in public health administration. Thank you for being here, Laura.
Dr. Laura Castillo: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to discuss such a critical topic.
Editor: Let’s dive right in. The recent departure of Luis Carlos Leal from the Health Superintendence has stirred up quite a bit of conversation. What are the implications of his exit for Colombia’s healthcare system?
Dr. Castillo: Luis Carlos Leal’s departure comes at a pivotal moment, especially given the ongoing investigations into potential corruption by health promotion entities. His exit could either signal a fresh start for oversight in the sector or potentially exacerbate existing issues, depending on who steps into that role.
Editor: And that brings us to Mario Andrés Urán, mentioned prominently in connection with these developments. What can you tell us about his background and how it relates to these allegations?
Dr. Castillo: Urán has a long and intricate history in Colombia’s health sector, having held various positions since 1996, including significant roles in both governmental and pharmaceutical organizations. His tenure with Roche, where he was known for pushing state connections for drug acquisitions, raises questions about his ethics in public health dealings. His association with the liquidation issues surrounding EPS Caprecom further complicates his legacy, considering that organisation left many debts due to embezzlement claims.
Editor: He seems to be a polarizing figure. How do his previous actions reflect on his new position?
Dr. Castillo: Absolutely, Urán’s past actions, particularly concerning the failed Tamiflu procurements during the H1N1 crisis, raise alarms. The fact that half of those doses expired due to overestimation of the crisis’s severity highlights a pattern of questionable judgment. His ties to the current government of President Gustavo Petro might provide him with political leverage, but it also marks him as a controversial choice, drawing skepticism about his commitment to reform and transparency.
Editor: With investigations already surrounding several EPSs due to alleged corruption, how critical is it that the new appointee addresses these issues effectively?
Dr. Castillo: It is crucial. The integrity of the healthcare system hinges on maintaining public trust, and any appearance of impropriety can lead to significant fallout. Urán must prioritize accountability and oversight, ensuring that any existing issues are addressed earnestly. Otherwise, the shadow of previous scandals may loom over his term, eroding public confidence further.
Editor: So, what steps do you think Urán should take initially as he transitions into this high-stakes role?
Dr. Castillo: First, he should establish a transparent dialogue with the stakeholders involved—this includes healthcare providers, EPS, and the public. Next, conducting a thorough audit of existing practices within the health promotion organisations would be vital. Engaging independent experts can also help to reestablish trust and demonstrate a commitment to ethical practices. Lastly, he should publicly address the ongoing investigations to clarify his position and vision for reform.
Editor: Thank you for those insights, Laura. As this situation unfolds, it will be interesting to see how Urán navigates these challenges. Lastly, what is your overall outlook for the healthcare landscape in Colombia given these transitions?
Dr. Castillo: I am cautiously optimistic, but it largely depends on Urán’s willingness to embrace transparency and reform. The public is vigilant, and given the past controversies, there’s a significant opportunity for positive change, but that change needs to be communicated and felt at all levels of the healthcare system.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Castillo, for your valuable perspectives today. We hope to continue this conversation as the situation develops.
Dr. Castillo: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to contribute to the discourse on such an important issue.
Editor: And thank you to our viewers for joining us. Stay tuned for more updates on this story and other developments in healthcare.