The Ministry of Industry, Development and Commerce (MIFIC) urges providers of medicines to comply with Law 842, known as the Law on the Protection of the Rights of Consumers and Users. Said Ministry informed Nicaraguans of some recommendations when purchasing products, mainly medicines.
In this regard, the Directorate General for the Protection of the Rights of Consumers and Users (DIPRODEC) urged drug providers to maintain compliance with Law 842.
Both the Law and its regulations establish that, when making changes in the authorized price of medicines, MIFIC, through DIPRODEC, will follow up on the established reference prices and when it determines that for any reason any of the elements considered in its formation have changed, it must modify them and order adjustments to all members of the drug marketing chain.
As a result, and following the increase in prices of medicines due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Nicaragua, MIFIC activated a hotline to receive complaints from consumers against premises that are speculating on prices, especially pharmacies and others linked to the fight against the pandemic.
It should be noted that, in accordance with Article 17 of the Regulations of Law 842, MIFIC, through DIPRODEC, may request any information, carry out inspections and verifications that it considers relevant. The different members of the marketing chain of medicines for human use are obliged to comply with it, as provided by law.
Associate
García & Bodán
Nicaragua