In the hallways of the polyclinics, the stories, waits, and resignation of those who still trust that the CSS will fulfill its responsibilities are repeated. The arrival of these medications occurs in a context of internal challenges. That is, out of five medications, only two were found. Frustration is not confined to pharmacies. In the hallways of the polyclinics, stories are repeated: incomplete prescriptions, interrupted treatments, and the uncertainty of not knowing when the medications they need will be available. “The CSS should guarantee basic medications for everyone.” In fact, in a video posted on March 31st on Instagram where the director of the CSS, Dino Mon, announces the arrival of medications, the comments reflect citizen discontent. “I went to get the medications and there were none,” a user wrote. Even so, he acknowledged the existence of internal thefts of medications that directly affect the availability of essential drugs, such as amlodipine and irbesartan, used to treat high blood pressure. In some cases, according to the director, supplies were diverted within the institutional network, which contributed to the shortage and caused delays in patient care. To strengthen control and transparency, the CSS implemented the Medication and Supply Logistics Management System (SALMI), a technological tool that allows for real-time inventory monitoring, reduces the risk of loss, and optimizes the distribution of medications throughout the public health network. Despite the announcements and implemented tools, the gap between what is reported and what patients find in pharmacies persists. They also mention the lack of medications for hypertension, such as carvedilol and perindopril. The indignation reflects a widespread feeling: the lack of medicines not only delays treatments but also generates anxiety among those who depend on the public health system. The response was: “There are none.” Among the patients was a young woman who arrived with prescriptions for her father and her mother. This Monday, March 30th, at the Dr. Edilberto Culiollis polyclinic in Las Cumbres, patients once again encountered the same frustration: there was no amlodipine, carvedilol, or gabapentin. “Is there still no amlodipine?” a woman asked at the counter, while looking for some answer that would reassure her. The Social Security Fund (CSS) announced on March 26th the arrival of batches of medications for chronic diseases and other ailments, as part of its efforts to guarantee supply in its health facilities. On social media, patients have also shared their experiences. For her father, she was looking for amlodipine and irbesartan; she only found the latter. “They only arrive at the warehouses, because there is never any in the pharmacy,” a user wrote. Among the products received were some in high demand, such as amlodipine 5 mg, irbesartan 300 mg, iron in ampoules, and hyaluronic acid. However, the reality in CSS pharmacies remains the same. For her mother, who requires treatment for thyroid and other ailments, she could only find levothyroxine; carvedilol and gabapentin were still out of her reach. Another commented: “Every week is the same: one arrives with a prescription and leaves with nothing. A few weeks ago, the director of CSS admitted that the institution is facing supply problems this year, attributable to irregularities within the distribution system itself. Mon explained that as of December, the CSS had a 96% supply rate, thanks to purchases exceeding 124 million dollars.
