The inflation does not stop, the trend is global and generalized and a large part of the factors are external. At the cutoff of the first half of April 2022, the rate of inflation year-on-year in Mexico climbed to 7.72%, its highest level in 21 years.
The increases in the level of food prices and the energetic lead the concerns; Despite this, other essential goods and services for life have also increased in price rapidly in recent months; health is one of them.
In general terms, the health category registered a year-on-year increase of 5.4% in its price level, according to figures from the inegi (National Institute of Statistic and Geography).
Inside, in the breakdown by generics, it can be seen that some medicines Y medical devices of daily use have increased in price with greater force.
This is how generics related to health have become more expensive in year-on-year comparison:
- Expectorant and decongestant medications: +11.3%
- Dermatological drugs: +9.4%
- Contraceptive drugs (condoms) and other hormonal treatments: +9.4%
- Eyeglasses, hearing aids and orthopedics: +8.2%
- Flu medications: +8.1%
- Medications for diabetes: +7.1%
- Gastrointestinal drugs: +7.0%
- Antibiotic medications: +6.9%
- Analgesics: +6.3%
- Allergy medications: +5.8%
- Medical consultations: +4.8%
- Hospitalization for childbirth: +4.5%
- General hospitalization: +4.4%
- Clinical analysis: +3.6%
- Anti-inflammatory drugs: +3.5%
- Cardiovascular drugs: +2.9%
These increases in the level of health prices implies a disproportionate impact on the population that does not have access to public health institutionsAs the IMSS, ISSSTE either insabi.
According to the latest update for 2020 of the Coneval (National Council for the Evaluation of Social Development Policy), 3 out of 10 Mexicans have a lack of access to health services. In absolute terms, there are 35.7 million people who have to pay for their consultations, medications, tests, surgeries, childbirth, family prevention and other treatments with their own income.
Most of the factors that continue to put pressure on the CPI (National consumer price index) are external: scarcity of raw materials, disruptions in global supply chains, setbacks in international trade due to sanctions, and the slow pace of economic revival world. Against this background, curbing the increase in consumer prices seems like a complex task.
Analysts and organizations now project that, moreover, this trend is not transitory and will put pressure on the purchasing power –and consequently food security and access to social rights– of households until 2024.