The limitations facing the national drug industry not only weakens competitiveness, but also does it cause products to become more costly to consumers, say sources linked to the sector.
In Panama, the pharmaceutical industry represents more than $300 billion a year, a market with more than 5,000 products, according to data from the Central American Federation of Pharmaceutical Laboratories.
However, out of the total of these products which are sold in the country, about 90% comes from at least 300 international companies.
Only in 2015, the importation of pharmaceutical products to the country totaled 469.5 million dollars, a 36.8% ($126.2 million) more than in 2014, when it imported $343.3 million.
Nevertheless, the latest report on the manufacturing industry of the General Comptroller of the Republic shows a decrease in the production of national medicine.
For the Operations Manager of one of the main national laboratories, who requested his name to be kept secret, the first barrier facing the local industry is the import of raw material.
He indicates that since 2001, as a result of cases of poisoning by diethylene glycol, the Panamanian laboratories are required to produce authentication of the raw material, which requires a certificate of origin.
For the President of the Union of industrialists of Panama (SIP), Ricardo Sotelo, this is a problem, taking into account that this occurs in countries where Panama has no consular offices where their merchandise can get the Apostilles.
Similarly, for small laboratories, much of the raw material is purchased through intermediaries that prefer not selling them to evade the requirements that cause them additional costs.
Sotelo says that the number of requirements hinders the importation logistics of raw materials, which makes it more expensive and difficult for local production.
"There is no point in restricting raw materials when the industry has to register a finished product", questioned Sotelo.
However, according to the representative of this national laboratory, these demands reduced to merely five the more than 20 suppliers existed, since the process required by Panama is extensive for purchases that do not exceed 50 or 100 kilograms.
However, this also reduced the number of local laboratories, going from 20 to six, including Medipan, Rigar, Lafsa, Prieto, San Rafael, and Palm.
They make prices higher
The rules that govern the production of drugs in the country also take away the possibilities of entering the local market, opening doors to imported products, indicates Sotelo, which leaves the consumers subjected to higher prices and just few options for purchase.
According to the President of the National Union of Consumers and Users of Panama (Uncurepa), Pedro Acosta, Panamanians are subjected to the manipulation of prices around the world.
He said the basic basket of medicines, composed of 40 products, is only an intention that low cost medicines get to consumers. He recalled that companies in Panama are intermediary and expect to make earnings. He adds that there is mistrust of consumers towards national and generic medicines, which are cheaper.
According to the representative of the sector, the national laboratories have a huge portfolio, although they recognize that they have reduced capacity to meet demand.
The products are used to control diseases such as colds, hypertension, and diabetes.
Low production raises cost of medicines
