Bolivia's pharmaceutical sector warns of drug price risks amid dollar fluctuations

The Bolivian pharmaceutical industry is closely monitoring the impact of a flexible US dollar on drug supply and prices. Iber Cordero, president of the College of Biochemistry and Pharmacy, noted that while no price increases have been recorded so far, the sector relies on imports for about 60% of its medicines, making access to foreign currency critical. Delays in fuel and dollar availability have already slowed laboratory orders, raising concerns about future availability.

The government has announced a planned US$3 billion injection and the return of dollar‑denominated deposits, measures that could ease currency access for the sector. Cordero warned that past years saw price hikes of 50% to 200% for various medicines, and he cautioned that renewed pressures could trigger further increases affecting pharmacies and patients.