The newspaper El Universal has published a special report revealing how some pharmacies in Mexico are profiting from diabetic patients by selling them medications up to one thousand percent more expensive than what the IMSS pays for them.
According to El Universal's investigation, these pharmacies, which belong to large commercial chains, acquire medications at a much lower price than what they later charge IMSS-affiliated patients.
The report details that medications such as insulin, metformin, and glucose meters are the most affected, often being sold at prices much higher than their actual market value.
As noted in the report, this practice puts the economy of diabetic patients at risk, who already face high expenses for managing their condition. Additionally, it highlights that these actions directly affect the resources of the IMSS, which allocates a large portion of its budget to the acquisition of medications for its affiliates.
In a statement to El Universal, the Mexican Social Security Institute reported that it is working on a centralized purchasing system to prevent these abusive practices and ensure patients have access to their medications at fair prices.
