- While in 2010 there were 4,370 clinics attached to pharmacies, now the figure is greater than 15,000 throughout the national territory.
- This type of business has seen an exponential increase and not only because of the low price of consultations but also because of the deficiencies of the public health system.
- Despite the above, Dr. López-Gatell stated his intention to eliminate this type of spaces.
What began as a statement during a conference from the National Palace has given rise to a national discussion. These are the words of the Undersecretary of Health against the clinics attached to pharmacies. He clearly expressed his contempt for this type of business that serves millions of Mexicans every day.
As a retrospective, during the section The Pulse of Health on August 16, the person in charge of designing strategies against the Covid-19 pandemic took the microphone. Before the media, he complained about these types of clinics and said that most operate in precarious conditions that put both patients and doctors at risk.
Pharmacy offices represent a risk to health and life because they do not have the capacity to treat chronic diseases; these belong to lucrative companies, warned the undersecretary of Health, @HLGatellon the #morning. pic.twitter.com/Iy1chcHeZz
– The Financial TV (@ElFinancieroTv) August 16, 2022
He also stated that these places do not have the capacity to attend to diseases of greater importance that affect millions of Mexicans. Specifically, he said that they cannot solve conditions such as diabetes, hypertension or heart disease. In all cases, these are public health problems that each year have a greater presence throughout the country.
Doctors give their opinion about clinics linked to pharmacies
An avalanche of comments was immediately generated by the strong statements. One of the most important points was said by the doctor and analyst Xavier Tellowho points out that there is no argument or figure to prove what the federal official said.
EYE:
You don’t have a single piece of scientific evidence to say that “they don’t really solve the disease.”
Very serious coming from a health official. https://t.co/BVVXQFNKcg— Xavier Tello (@StratCons) August 16, 2022
How many pharmacy offices are there in Mexico?
One of the aspects that demonstrate the success of this model is the growth that has been registered. According to the Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risks (Cofepris), in 2010 there were 4 thousand 370 economic clinics throughout Mexico. By 2017 the figure increased to more than 13 thousand and currently there are more than 15 thousand that are in operation.
But although at the beginning its main attraction was the low price of the consultations, at present there are others. The National Survey of Health and Nutrition (Ensanut) 2021 showed that more and more beneficiaries of IMSS and ISSSTE prefer the pharmacy offices.
Now the main reasons are proximity because there is at least one business of this type in each neighborhood. While the factor that has become the main one is immediate attention. It is not necessary to arrive at 7 in the morning to request a file or wait hours to enter the office.
The Dr. Isaac Chavez Diaz He sums it up in one sentence:
The success of similar pharmacies is proportional to the failure of the public health system. It’s known.
— Dr. Isaac Chavez Diaz (@DrChavezDiaz) August 17, 2022
For her part, Dr. Jackie López considers that although it is not the best option, it has now become the basis of first-level medical care.
“We know that it is not the most dignified care or the best quality, but it is a reality that today they are of great help. In fact, I would dare to say that they support a large part of the health system, being one of the main options for Mexicans in first-level care.”
He adds that only the offices of Similar pharmacies they serve more than 85 million people a year. If they are added to other chains of the same business, the figure increases exponentially.
Better working conditions for pharmacy doctors
It also recognizes that it is not currently an option to raise the possibility of eliminating the pharmacy offices. Although what would be worthwhile is a review of the working conditions offered to those who care for patients. The ideal would be for everyone to receive the basic legal benefits and fairer contracts.
For his part, the Dr. Hector Rossete He also gave his opinion on the subject and described López-Gatell as ungrateful. During the pandemic, these types of spaces were vital to avoid the collapse of the public health system.
The undersecretary of health @HLGatellcannot be so ungrateful to private medicine that supported so much in caring for patients during the pandemic, due to an overwhelmed, collapsed and underserved public health sector.
— Dr. Hector Rossete (@HectorRossete) August 16, 2022
Instead, the only thing that the doctors who attend these places have received has been contempt. It should only be remembered that they were the last to receive the Covid-19 vaccine despite the high risk they faced since the start of the pandemic.
For now, what do you think about the doctors in charge of the clinics attached to pharmacies?
Also read:
López-Gatell attacks pharmacy offices: “They should not exist”
Ensanut 2021: IMSS and ISSSTE patients prefer pharmacy offices
What is the salary of doctors in offices attached to pharmacies?