Global health. The current scenario and future perspectives

262 identifying chemical molecules as it assigns simplified names to active ingredients based on their chemical or IUPAC nomenclature. For example, the antihistamine drug whose INN is Chlorphenamine Maleate has the chemical name of 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-N, N-dimethyl-3-pyridin-2-yl-propan- 1-amine, an impossible name to learn or include in a prescription for an allergic patient. In addition to developing the National Formulary list in the 1960s, Chile invited the entire pharmaceutical industry to join in producing these medicines (Vergara, 1997). However, only Laboratorio Chile accepted this invitation. Established as a joint-stock company with state contributions from the Social Security Service, Private Employees Fund, National Health Fund and Carabineros’ Pension Fund, the laboratory supplied both public and private sectors. The objective of this measure was to promote access to essential medicines for all population groups at fair prices while allowing pharmacies a profit margin of up to 30% above cost price. The issue of price differences between generic drugs with INNs and branded drugs has existed since those times. In February 1972, the Undersecretary of Health Dr. Carlos Molina stated: “There is no drug or active ingredient that is not accessible for popular consumption through either NHS 25 [National Health System] or pharmacies. Epamin is said to be missing; it is just a brand name for a product whose active ingredient is phenytoin. This medication is normally manufactured by Laboratorio Chile under the National Formulary at one-fourth of the price of Epamin and can be found in all pharmacies across the country” (Vergara, 1997) . In line with this, in 1974, the nationwide newspaper El Mercurio stated: “Thus, a comparison between prices listed in the National Formulary and those of drugs not included indicates that the former can be up to 80% lower than competing laboratory products. In summary, it can be said that at this stage, the National Formulary plays an effective regulatory role within a healthy economic freedom” (Vergara, 1997) . This generic drug policy was so successful that the production of Laboratorio Chile increased by 600% between 1969 and 1972. Even though it ended in 1987, the image on those products’ labels with the words “Formulario Nacional” or the acronym “FN” on white containers with red and 25 In 1952, Law No. 10,383 was enacted that established the National Health System (NHS?), an organization responsible for the protection of the entire population’s health and the promotion and recovery of the health of workers, their spouses and children up to 15 years old. Its creation involved merging the General Directorate of Charity and Social Assistance, the Medical Service of the Workers’ Insurance Fund, the National Health Service, the General Directorate for Child and Adolescent Protection, the technical section on Hygiene and Industrial Safety of the General Directorate of Labor, municipal medical and health services and Chile’s Bacteriological Institute.