Over 76 pharmacies that operated in different points of the capital have gone out of business and disappeared of the market, while 91 are in the process because they cannot continue competing against the big pharmaceutical chains that offer better prices to the consumer.
The president of the Pharmacy Owners Association (APROFA) detailed that there are 290 pharmacies in the capital and 91 are going out of business because they can’t find a way to survive in a distorted market in which those with more money obtain better prices.
When this happens there will only be 118 pharmacies left in the capital which represents only a 32 percent of this type of business since 2004.
According to the APROFA president, this situation implicates that people would have to walk long distances to purchase their medication because no one will keep opening these types of business just to loose money.
He also manifested that although it is certain that the great pharmaceutical chains are increasing their establishments, they will locate them solely in places that are profitable.
The smaller pharmacies that are competing in most of the cities nationwide are also in the road to disappearing because if this same reason.
The Executive and Legislative authorities are the only ones that can help these businesses by helping all pharmacies no matter how small they are to purchase from the providers at the same price as those given to the big chains, this way they can give the same discounts to their clients.
