- The Similar Pharmacies business was founded in 1997 and to date it has more than 15,000 offices throughout the country.
- Its main characteristic is that it offers generic drugs at affordable prices, in addition to the fact that most branches have an attached office.
- A Paraguayan woman who was visiting Mexico fell “in love” with this healthcare model and shared her experience on her TikTok account.
Health today is one of the most competitive businesses in the world, although some companies have capitalized on it for some years. Regarding Mexico, Farmacias Similares has positioned itself as one of the largest companies in the country. Its expansion has been exponential until it has become a leader, although it has also been surrounded by criticism. But are they more their virtues or their defects?
A care model designed for low-income patients
It all started in 1997 when the first pharmacy of this chain was inaugurated. From the beginning, it stood out for offering generic and cheap versions of medicines. With this he managed to attract low-income people who do not have enough capital to buy patent drugs.
Since then everything has been growth. The next step was to install clinics next to each of its pharmacies to extend their service. It has also expanded to other countries such as Guatemala and Chile. It is a model that has been successful because it is designed for patients, although at the same time it affects doctors.
In fact, most of the criticism is generated by health professionals. Much of the union complains about the meager salaries offered by Similar Pharmacies. The general consensus is that it is not worth studying for six or seven years for such little pay.
The health revolution in Mexico?
Now, the impact of this chain focused on health is so great that even foreigners who visit Mexico are surprised. Such is the case of a Paraguayan woman who posted a video on her TikTok account to share the things that impacted him the most about our country.
What he recounts is that he was surprised to meet the company represented by the dr simi. In particular, he confesses how surprising it is to see a medical office from this chain on every corner. Therefore he even assured that “revolutionized private healthcare in Mexico”.
He also emphasized that the general consultations cost 50 pesos, which is equivalent to just under two dollars. For an affordable price, you can receive the service instantly because it is not necessary to wait for hours as is normally the case in public hospitals.
@sophiaestrago
In this case, the Paraguayan speaks from her point of view. Being a foreigner who was on a temporary visit to Mexico cannot be a beneficiary of the IMSS or ISSSTE. Although there is private health, for tourists with a reduced budget it is not possible to access this service.
On the other hand, beyond the opinions towards this model of medical care, the reality is that it has already become the most requested by patients. According to the Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risks (Cofepris) the clinics attached to pharmacies offer more daily consultations than the IMSS.
And in your case, what do you think about the business model and medical care of Farmacias Similares?
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