health
May 5, 2026
Supersalud Quintero proposes that medication payments be made directly to patients and not to EPS
Regulatory times for approving medications in Colombia reach 28-32 months, compared to 6 months in Mexico. Photo: iStock
TL;DR
- Colombia's health system is facing renewed controversy over access to medications.
- Superintendent of Health, Daniel Quintero Calle, proposed direct payments to patients as an emergency measure.
- This alternative aims to ensure medication delivery when EPS fail.
- The proposal was made after a case where a minor did not receive urgent medication.
- Quintero personally transferred funds to the patient's mother, who then purchased the medication.
- This direct payment mechanism reportedly bypassed EPS queues and delays.
- The Superintendent suggested institutionalizing direct payments, deducting costs from EPS's UPC (healthcare provision capitation unit).
- This idea has been previously proposed by Jorge Iván Ospina, interventor of Nueva EPS.
- Investigations are underway against the involved EPS and pharmaceutical operator, Ofimédica.
- The case highlights structural problems in timely access to essential medications, especially for critical conditions.