Patients Warn: New Barrier to Medication Access During Crises
- The Superintendence of Industry and Commerce (SIC) in Colombia has issued resolution 35379 of 2025,authorizing nine health promoting entities (EPS) currently under government intervention to directly negotiate medicine...
- Patient Colombia argues that the direct negotiation policy lacks sufficient planning and guarantees for users, perhaps leading to drug shortages and treatment interruptions.
- What: New regulation allowing EPS under intervention to directly negotiate drug prices.
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Colombia’s Healthcare System Faces new Challenges Amidst EPS Negotiations and Financial Concerns
Table of Contents
New EPS Negotiation Policy Raises Concerns
The Superintendence of Industry and Commerce (SIC) in Colombia has issued resolution 35379 of 2025,authorizing nine health promoting entities (EPS) currently under government intervention to directly negotiate medicine purchases with pharmaceutical laboratories. This move, intended to streamline procurement, has sparked concern from patient advocacy groups like Patient Colombia, who fear it could disrupt medicine delivery and jeopardize ongoing treatments.
Patient Colombia argues that the direct negotiation policy lacks sufficient planning and guarantees for users, perhaps leading to drug shortages and treatment interruptions. The association believes the resolution fails to address existing systemic problems within the healthcare system.
EPS Financial Instability Adds to Worries
Compounding these concerns, financial reports indicate that the EPS collectively hold over $29 billion in debt and exhibit negative assets, raising serious questions about their financial viability.This precarious financial situation casts a shadow over their ability to fulfill their obligations to patients, even with the new negotiation powers granted by resolution 35379.
The combination of ample debt and negative assets suggests a systemic financial crisis within these EPS,potentially undermining the effectiveness of any new procurement strategies. The long-term sustainability of these entities is now in question.
| EPS | Reported Debt (USD) | Asset Value (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| EPS 1 (Example) | 5,000,000,000 | -1,000,000,000 |
| EPS 2 (Example) | 4,500,000,000 | -800,000,000 |
| EPS 3 (example) | 3,800,000,000 | -700,000,000 |
| Total (Example) | 29,000,000,000+ | Negative |
Note: The above table contains example data. Actual figures are subject to change and require verification from official financial reports.
Patient Uncertainty and the Need for Openness
Patients are expressing growing uncertainty about the future of their healthcare access. The perceived lack of adequate planning and guarantees within resolution 35379 fuels fears that the new policy will exacerbate existing problems in medicine delivery. the potential for increased drug shortages and interrupted treatments is a significant concern for those relying on consistent care.
The situation highlights the critical need for greater transparency and communication from the SIC and the EPS