In recent weeks, Colombia's healthcare system has faced unprecedented turmoil, particularly in cities like Cali, where patients have demonstrated their desperation by blocking major roads and staging protests. The root of this crisis lies in the significant delays in medication deliveries, which have left countless Colombians without necessary treatments, including vital supplies of insulin and cancer drugs.
On March 21, 2025, a group of frustrated patients blocked Avenida Américas in Cali after waiting in lines that began as early as 11 PM the previous night. They gathered in a chain to protest against the failure to receive their medications, despite lining up for hours (TuBarco). The situation has spurred drastic government actions, including the implementation of a pico y cédula system to manage pharmaceutical dispensing for those affiliated with Nueva EPS.
The healthcare turmoil in Cali coincides with the closure of Audifarma, a major pharmaceutical operator, which ceased its operations for Nueva EPS patients on February 24, 2025. This transition left many patients scrambling as the new operator, Disfarma, struggled to meet the pre-existing demand for essential medications (TuBarco). Users reported that even after receiving text notifications about the new provider's details starting March 17, visits to Disfarma still resulted in complaints about long lines and a lack of available medicines.
Patients from different neighborhoods, including El Restrepo and Normandía, have also faced long waits outside pharmacy locations, struggling to obtain medications for chronic conditions. Some have shared appalling experiences of standing for hours without receiving the necessary treatments. For instance, one user lamented, "I need insulin for my wife, but there is none available. I've been to five places" (Noticias Caracol).
The health crisis extends beyond simply obtaining medications; many families have been drawn into disruptive protests due to the urgent need for timely access to treatments. On March 12, patients previously organized a protest in Jairo Varela square, advocating on behalf of family members struggling with chronic health issues, and pointing to failures in service by the different EPS (TuBarco).
In light of these growing issues, Invima, the National Food and Drug Surveillance Institute of Colombia, initiated a series of measures on March 19, introducing a six-month contingency plan to expedite over 14,000 sanitary registration procedures for drugs (TuBarco). Francisco Rossi, director-general of Invima, emphasized that the objective is to streamline the processes surrounding medications in order to quickly address the ongoing crisis.
Echoing the urgency of the situation, President Gustavo Petro recently announced that measures to prevent hoarding of essential medications, especially insulin, must be enforced more strictly. "I have instructed the Superintendent of Health to act decisively when warehouses filled with unissued medications are identified" (TuBarco). The measures also reflect an effort to mitigate the divisions within the Colombian healthcare system that have contributed to these widespread medication shortages.
As the government attempts to implement changes, the community's patience is wearing thin. The claimed inefficiency of the newly appointed pharmacy vendor Disfarma is a central concern, with complaints of delays and a lack of stock continuing to plague residents. During a site visit to Disfarma conducted by TuBarco, distressed families shared their struggles, and some individuals voiced discontent after waiting long hours only to exit empty-handed.
In response to the fluctuating access issues, the Secretariat of Public Health of Cali has convened a working group to develop four core strategies aimed at improving medication distribution: expanding dispensing points across the city, initiating home delivery services for essential drugs, prioritizing the supply of critical medications, and enhancing coordination with various healthcare entities (TuBarco). Carlos Pinzón, the Secretary of Public Health, reiterated the commitment to guarantee the right to health for all citizens. "We will continue to work diligently to overcome this crisis and ensure access to effective medical treatment," he stated.
The situation is equally dire in the capital city of Bogotá, where patients are forming long queues outside Audifarma locations while facing the recurring excuse of medications being out of stock. Together, the residents of these cities persist in raising their voices, advocating for urgent resolutions to the ongoing health service crisis. The wave of protests amplifies the demand for reform within a system that is struggling to meet its responsibilities.
As the situation continues to evolve, the experience of individuals navigating the healthcare system underscores the profound impact that these challenges pose on the everyday lives of citizens. Families are left in critical limbo while calling for urgent solutions that extend beyond mere temporary adjustments. The transition to a non-functional service model is leaving many without hope for timely and essential healthcare solutions, proving that the ongoing crisis demands not only immediate focus but also systemic change to provide the healthcare that every citizen deserves.
