Pharmacies react to government cut federates

The possibility of 50% reduction in the budget for the people's Pharmacy Program in 2016, which encompasses the project here has Popular Pharmacy (where the private sector of pharmacies has participation), causes industry players seek solutions to attract the customer even without the incentive of the program's appeal.
Discount cards until the transfer of high-dollar not to medicines, all for the industry keep pace of advance even with Government cuts. "I believe 2016 will be the best year for the industry," said DCI network President to pay less, Subramanian Queiroz. He said that the crisis passes away from shops and designs close the year with revenues over $ 5 billion. "We have the loyalty card, close partnerships with the industry and even with the high-dollar, not pass on to the consumer," he said.
According to Queiroz will be unlikely that the Government end the program entirely, and that this Court is restricted to medicines of co-pay, those with value divided between the State and the client. "The Brazilian Association of Pharmacies and Drugstores (Abrafarma) was in Brasilia and was assured that the project will be maintained," he said.
In a statement the Ministry of health official said that the "program follows operating normally, having guaranteed budget for this year on the order of 2.8 billion R$".
According to the Ministry, the budget for the program-split in gratuity and co-pay-aims to keep the character distribuitivo of medicine. "With this, they kept the 14 medicines for treatment of hypertension, diabetes and asthma, whose offer is free of charge to the citizen which account for more than 85% of patients seen monthly by the program," he says.
The Ministry deployed yet, in order to "inform you that all medicines co-financed offered as part of the program of the National Ratio of Medicines (RENAME) should be offered in the public health network, independent of the provision in the people's Pharmacy Program".
Collateral damage
In the opinion of the Economic Adviser of the Brazilian Association of Pharmaceutical Commerce (ABC Farma), Geraldo Monteiro, in addition to harming the independent pharmacies-which do not have the same volume of sales of the major networks and can't even negotiate better prices on medicines, the lower-income population will be the most affected if the cut is approved next year. "That portion of society that makes continued use of medicines, will be the most affected, is it will keep the treatment condition," said Monteiro.
According to the expert in the industry, as much as the Government tries to cut cost, is the unified health system (SUS) that will be even more overwhelmed. "They will spend more on care, since there is the possibility of many stop taking medication and need emergency assistance," he emphasized.
Both the spokesman for ABC Farma-Geraldo Monteiro, as the President of Payless, Subramanian Queiroz, have ruled out the closure of Popular Pharmacy Program. "If that happens the Government will see what is manifestation", emphasized Queiroz.
The Ministry of health, however, ensured the continuity of action. "It is important to note that there is no federal Government proposal to end the Popular Pharmacy Program", submit the note to the DCI.