The Argentine Political Economy Center (CEPA) has published a report revealing an increase in the prices of medications consumed by older adults and retirees during the year 2024. According to the study, the most commonly used medications by this group experienced a 6.2% increase above the inflation rate. Since Javier Milei took office, there has been an average increase of 215.0% in the prices of medications for older adults, surpassing the inflation index of the period, which reached 208.8%.
In the last year, the 10 medications that increased the most showed an average increase of 133%. The report also highlights changes in the coverage and policy of free medications from PAMI, the social security health insurance for retirees. In March 2020, a new list of essential free medications was implemented with the aim of ensuring adequate treatments for common pathologies in this group. However, there have been reductions in coverage, forcing retirees to undergo procedures to access benefits.
Currently, 44 pharmacological molecules with 100% coverage have been removed from the PAMI list, and in June, another 11 molecules were excluded. It has been observed that the prices of medications outside the PAMI basket have experienced significant increases. Three medications that stand out for their price increases are Dermaglós, with a 78.4% increase, Lanzopral, with a 71.7% increase, and Pantus 40, whose price increased by 70%.
These increases have had a direct impact on the budgets of members who need to purchase these medications outside of PAMI coverage. The CEPA report suggests that older adults are experiencing economic difficulties due to these price increases. The reduction in coverage and changes in the policy of free medications from PAMI are raising concerns among the retired population.
