CHILE AND MEXICO

On December 9, President Sebastián Piñera presented his anti-abuse agenda, which includes fighting crimes of collusion when the goods affected meet primary needs, such as medicines, among others.  In his announcement, the president affirmed his intention to reform the health system, creating a new guaranteed Universal Health Plan and a financing mechanism to match the possibilities of families which also includes Catastrophic Health Insurance. The initiative could be presented in the medium term. 

In his speech Piñera also declared that he intended to move towards a new Pensions System, and that they are reducing the price of medicines by strengthening the National Supply Center.  There are plans to transform this institution into a supplier of cheaper pharmaceuticals for all Chileans, reinforcing the availability of bioequivalent medicines. The government wants these to become “a real and cheaper alternative to brand name drugs.” 

The president also announced his intention to set up the Catastrophic Health Insurance fund to cover high-cost diseases for the Chilean population. 

In a similar vein, Mexico has also passed a law reforming the health system and creating the Institute of Health for Welfare (INSABI, for its acronym in Spanish) to administer a public trust called the Health Welfare Fund which will be responsible for covering the costs associated with high-cost diseases such as cancer.