Although the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines against COVID-19 will be sold in pharmacies in Mexico after being approved by the Federal Commission for the Protection against Health Risks (Cofepris), there is still no certainty about which establishments will be able to have the biological for sale, as well as on its cost to consumers.
On December 7, Cofepris granted health registration to the Spikevax vaccine (monovalent XBB.1.5) from ModernaTx. Inc. (requested through its legal representative in Mexico, Asofarma SA de CV) and the Comirnaty vaccine (Ómicron XBB. 1.5) from Pfizer SA de CV, however, public sale will be available until 2024, and only by prescription medical.
Where will the vaccine be sold?
According to the Cofepris authorization, the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines may be sold in any pharmacy, hospital or clinic, however, there are other factors to consider.
Establishments that put Covid-19 vaccines on sale must have licenses for the sale of controlled medications, contained in section I, II and III, of article 226 of the General Health Law.
Medications considered controlled are those for which, for their sale and supply, it is necessary to present a medical prescription (with all the data and information about the doctor and patient) that has a handwritten signature of the doctor who issues it.
Infrastructure
On the other hand, pharmacies or health centers that market the biological must have the necessary infrastructure or freezers to keep the vaccines at the appropriate temperature, since these drugs require being in cold environments.
Given this, it is logical that not any pharmacy will be able to sell Covid-19 vaccines, and they will probably only be offered in establishments of the country’s large pharmaceutical chains.
Under strict medical recommendation
Cofepris urged the population not to make indiscriminate use of any vaccine against COVID-19, since the risk-benefit of each application must be considered, which is why it stressed that the application of vaccines outside the National Vaccination Policy must be under strict conditions. medical recommendation.
He recalled that vaccines to prevent COVID-19, included in the National Vaccination Policy against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, are universal and free.
The vaccine could cost up to 2 thousand pesos
Although there is still no certainty in this regard, the estimated cost for the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines would be approximately 2 thousand pesos, considered the president of the specialized section on Pharmacies of the Mexican Business Council Francisco Javier Ramírez Hernández.
He explained that it would not be until next year when the biological product could be on sale in San Luis Potosí.
“We understand that from this month of December large wholesalers were going to begin distributing it, however, as far as pharmacies are concerned it will only be done in those that have authorization to sell it,” he clarified.
He explained that pharmacies must have equipment to maintain the vaccine, since its handling is special and requires refrigeration and certain care to be effective.
Regarding the cost to the public, the pharmaceutical businessman clarified that so far it has not been defined, however, it is expected to be no more than 2 thousand pesos, the price at which it is marketed in the United States.
Potosí pharmacies do not yet sell the vaccine, however, it can still be applied for free in health sector centers such as IMSS and State Health Services.
2023-12-16 12:19:00
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