Aug. 6 (UPI) -- Driven by lessons from the pandemic and a reliance on imports -- more than $2.16 billion in packaged medicines in 2023, most from the United States -- Colombia has launched a national strategy to regain control of its pharmaceutical supply chain.
Through investments in science, research and development, the country aims to ensure access to essential treatments for its population, signaling a structural shift in its public health and trade policy.
This dependence extends beyond finished products. Colombia's pharmaceutical industry also relies heavily on imported active ingredients and other key inputs to manufacture its own medicines. The United States is an important player supplying these components.
Central to the effort is the Health Research Fund, a program led by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation. Since 2023, the fund has invested nearly $2 million to expand domestic production of essential medicines.
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