Panama’s vice president proposes global initiative at UN to address high cost of medicines

Panama’s Vice President José Carrizo proposed a global initiative at the United Nations General Assembly in New York to address the problems of high costs and lack of access to medicines for citizens and transform the development model into a sustainable one.

The vice president pointed out that such efforts are necessary at a time when “the construction of a new world, a better world, with answers that safeguard human health and life on this planet, is before us,” as he said in a speech broadcast live by Panama’s state television station Sertv.

“The pharmaceutical industry, the production, supply and distribution of medicines in the world is supposedly an ally of health. However, we are concerned that millions of people cannot access medicines. The situation has become a mercantile and malicious act,” Carrizo questioned.

He stressed that “oligopolies are making disproportionate profits on medicines that they distribute and sell to both states and individuals,” adding that such a system that shames humanity cannot continue.

He added that this issue concerns everyone and must be studied and addressed in its global implications, expressing his interest in ensuring that access to medicines is valued as a human right and not an expensive luxury good.

After questioning the damage to natural resources and the environment caused by gas emissions, deforestation, and pollution of the oceans, the minister told the president that it would be helpful to create “an international body that demands accountability from all those who harm our planet.”

“How can we gain the trust of new generations while the planet on which our descendants and we live is being decimated before their eyes? How many more human lives must be lost? How many more natural disasters have to happen? When will they stop the environmental murder?”

Carrizo considered it possible to change the development model by ensuring healthy and sustainable ecosystems, recalling that Panama is one of three countries classified as carbon-negative, along with Bhutan and Suriname.

“30.5 percent of our oceans are designated as protected areas. We are also the eighth country in the world regarding clean energy production,” he said.

The vice president also stressed that the Panamanian people are committed to protecting natural resources because of the country’s geographic location and the Panama Canal’s role in the world economy.