On August 7th, Minister of Health Adolfo Rubinstein led a meeting with the heads of the National Institute of Social Services for Retirees and Pensioners (INSSJyP), the National Disability Agency, the Institute of Social Work of the Armed Forces (IOSFA) and the Social Work of the City of Buenos Aires (ObSBA) in which they signed agreements for the joint purchase of high-cost medicines. It was also announced that in the coming weeks there will be a national public tender for the purchase of oncological medicines that could reach 40 million dollars.

The minister stated that this is the first step in an effort towards the joint purchase of high-cost medication among different State agencies, which is expected to lead to a significant reduction in prices and improved access to Universal Health Coverage. A subsequent expansion to national and provincial social works and to provincial jurisdictions is foreseen.

On July 18th, the National Institute of Social Services for Retirees and Pensioners tendered 23 oncological drugs under the joint purchasing modality. It is estimated that this tender resulted in savings of approximately 47 million dollars.