Argentina makes 170 prescription drugs, supplements available free of charge to retirees

[sandensea]

Argentine President Alberto Fernández announced that 170 essential prescription drugs and supplements will be made available free of charge for the nation's 5.2 million retirees covered by PAMI, Argentina's version of Medicare.

The program, known as "Live Better," covers a total of around 3,600 brand names and generics - a move designed to promote competition in a country where medicine prices rose 457% between late 2015 and late 2019.

Pharmaceutical inflation far outstripped overall inflation in the same period (300%) or wage growth (210%). The new benefit will add an estimated 10 to 15% to the median retiree's net pension, currently $244 a month.

'Live Better' follows the revival of the REMEDIAR medical subsidy program announced by Health Minister Ginés González García on February 14.

The program is budgeted to distribute 16 million units of 50 basic medicines to the nation's 8,500 clinics and hospitals this year, many of which had reported medicine shortages - raising concern amid the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic.

REMEDIAR had been discontinued by Fernández's predecessor, Mauricio Macri, in 2017. Amid the most serious debt and economic crisis in two decades, last October he became the first Argentine president to lose a re-election bid.

At: https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&tab=wT&sl=auto&tl=en&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pagina12.com.ar%2F252165-el-vademecum-que-cumple-una-promesa-de-campana

The director of PAMI (Argentina's Medicare), Luana Volnovich, speaks about the recently-announced 'Live Better' prescription drug subsidy as President Alberto Fernández (center left, with tie) looks on.

The program, which makes 170 prescription drugs and supplements available free of charge to retirees, is part of a broader policy of addressing medical shortages and affordability issues in the recession-hit nation.

[Judi Lynn]

1. Fernndez has delivered a powerful relief to so many Argentine citizens.

It reverses the horrendous wound inflicted by Macri to powerless elderly people who needed Remediar so much during their later years.

He moved on his solution quickly, too.

That action taken is going to establish so much trust, respect, good will from so many, as even those who are young, or economically comfortable are very likely related to people they love who will benefit.

Thanks for letting us know about Fernández' huge Valentine to the people, sent near the beginning of his Presidency. Way to go!

[sandensea]

2. And not a moment too soon

Next to Cuba and Uruguay, Argentina has the highest proportion of senior citizens in Latin America. And they're worried.

Between the February 14 announcement and this week's, it'll go a long way toward calming fears over Covid-19 - which as you know affects the elderly most of all (just as the flu season does, of course).

Prescriptions there are a lot less expensive there than in the U.S. - but in a country where the median pension is $244 monthly (plus two, $122 bonuses in June and December), even $20 can be a burden for many seniors.

Many, as you can imagine, depend on family for help with their bills.

It's worth recalling that median pensions were $440 when Cristina Kirchner left office in late 2015 - and they had the free/subsidized medicine and supplements.

Hope all is well, Judi. Thanks as always for taking the time, and your thoughts. You always add dimension to these stories.

[Judi Lynn]

3. So many atrocities occurred to the population during Macri's rule of economic terror

it was hard to remember just how many ways he tortured the country!

I had either forgotten or not caught originally that he had taken an axe to the elderly people's pensions. That was monstrous!

The change made through the election has done so much already to ease the economic stress for older people, and undoubtedly done wonders psychologically in just delivering a small bit of comfort.

Hoping for the very best for the new President every single day.