WILLEMSTAD - The Association of Importers of Pharmaceutical Products (VIPP) wants to debunk the myth surrounding the story that the price of medicines on Curacao is high. "The opposite is true," said VIPP spokesman Rudolf Beaujon.
"As importers, we are not only surprised, but especially angry about the unfounded negative reports about us as importers and the costs of the medicines."
The government publishes an annual report from the Social Insurance Bank (SVB) that shows the medicine costs per resident. The costs are even at the same level as that of the Netherlands.
The Netherlands is one of the countries with the lowest costs in the world. Namely about 300 euros per resident, a lot lower than Germany, at 572 euros. In Curaçao, the costs per SVB insured person are 732 guilders, approximately 340 euros. “And that includes all import costs. If you do not include that, you will end up with a pharmaceutical cost of 295 euros,” says Beaujon.
The government wants to reduce costs by 30 percent and according to the VIPP this would be impossible. They foresee that an important part of employment will then disappear. They claim to have had difficulty with the low margins not to make a loss.
The association has been trying for months to discuss the situation with Minister of Health, Environment and Nature Zita Jesus-Leito. But after two discussions, nothing concrete has emerged so far.
Beaujon also regrets to learn that chairman of the Committee for Financial Supervision (CFT) Raymond Gradus, supported by the Government Accountants Bureau (SOAB), is talking about the high medicine costs.
"The cost of the new CMC and government mismanagement of money are the real problems, not the drug costs," said Beaujon.