BRIEFS. Health

Social security to increase drug spending

la prensa

increased: Social Security officials have pledged that drug shortages experienced this year will not be repeated in 2009.1120718

The $2.1 billion budget of the Social Security agency for 2009 includes $110 million for the purchase of medicine, $18 million higher than the amount budgeted for 2008.

The budget increase is attributable to rising prices and an increase in policyholders and beneficiaries, said the agency's purchasing director, Ulises Santos. The agency currently serves approximately 2.5 million people, or 73.5 percent of the country's population.

During recent months, it has also experienced an increase in the number of patients with chronic illnesses that require more drugs. Despite complaints from some policyholders about the lack of medicine, Santos said that the agency will have no disruptions next year, and ensures that the pharmacies of the institution will have the medicine needed by patients.

In September, it began to prepare the purchase orders for medications, and plans on conducting initial bids in January.The agency awards contracts to the lowest bidder as long as it can meet the government's safety and quality requirements.Among the purchases for next year are drugs required by about 15,000 people being treated for HIV and AIDS.