The Paraguayan government is advancing on the payment of the roughly $1 billion debt accumulated with pharmaceutical suppliers. A total of 43 companies are currently negotiating the assignment of collection rights for $400 million with financial institutions, following the issuance of debt recognition resolutions by the Ministry of Public Health.
Luis Ávila, executive director of the Chamber of the Pharmaceutical Chemical Industry (Cifarma), confirmed that a specific resolution for $320 million, related to debts prior to 2025, has been issued, which will benefit about 40 companies. He highlighted that this amount is already available for each supplier to negotiate directly with their banks, in a mechanism considered sovereign debt with a special interest rate.
Ávila described the operation as successful and the result of negotiations that began in June with the Minister of Economy, Óscar Lovera. He detailed that an additional balance will be incorporated in September and October under the same scheme, totaling $400 million in assignments by the end of the year.
The remaining balance of about $450 million is planned to be included as bonds in the 2027 budget, through a modification of the fiscal deficit, with payment expected between February and March of next year. In parallel, Cifarma is also working with the Social Security Institute (IPS) on an $80 million assignment of rights.
The Ministry of Economy has already made previous monthly disbursements, including $100 million in April, $80 million in May, and $40 million in June, with a commitment to continue transferring $40 million monthly until the end of 2026.