Salud To Control Import and Sale Of AH1N1
Vaccine
The ministerio de Salud is prohibiting the
importation and sale of the AH1N1 vaccine by
private companies and pharmacies. The
announcement was made by Ana Morice, vice-ministra
de Salud, who explained that a government
decree is being prepared to regulate the
situation when the vaccine arrives in Costa
Rica.
"We are going to declare the vaccine as a 'bien
público' and will have not cost for anyone
and will regulate the importation, which
will not permit the sale by private
enterprises", said Morice.
The objective is that any importation is
regulated by the ministerio de Salud and
avoid that, in the case of a shortage, those
with the financial means will be able to
obtain the vaccine.
"We have to guarantee that everyone has
access", said Morice.
The measure, according to the vice-ministra,
is similar to that adopted in the United
States this week, when the Kathleen Sebelius,
Secretary of Health and Human Services,
announced that the AH1N1 vaccine will only
be available in authorized medical centres
and "at no cost to all".
In Costa Rica, the ministerio de Salud has
ordered 1.8 million vaccines for those in
the high risk group, making its purchase
from the Organización Panamericana de la
Salud, which is negotiating with the
pharmaceuticals for a mass purchase for
Latin America.
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