Challenges to the development of taxation policies for sugar-sweetened beverages in Colombia.

Frequent consumption of sugar sweetened beverages (SSB) is related to the risks of developing overweight, obesity, cavities, diabetes and other diseases. Policies to significantly increase taxes on SSB have proven to be effective in reducing their consumption. The political debate on implementing these taxes in Colombia shows a series of barriers to placing this policy on the political agenda, and therefore, to its approval. This work analyses the political process involved in the struggle for the approval of an SBB tax in Colombia, as well as barriers and opportunities to putting it on the political agenda. This is done through a policy analysis with three research methods: a documentary analysis, political mapping of actors and semistructured interviews with key actors. Among the main findings, we have that actors who are in favour of the SSB tax stated that it is needed due to the health problems caused by SSB consumption, while those who opposed it argue that Colombia regulations are sufficient and already inform and educate consumers on excessive sugar consumption and its health implications. The Colombian political context is a barrier to SSB taxation, as the government favours and has a close connection with the food and SSB industry. In short, the policy issue has been reaching the agenda intermittently throughout the years. Nevertheless, new opportunities are arising after the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2022 administrative changes and further efforts from policy entrepreneurs are required to make this initiative progress in the political agenda.

Design and validation of indicators for the comprehensive measurement of quality of care for type 2 diabetes and acute respiratory infections in ambulatory health services.

Developing ambulatory health services (AHS) of optimal quality is a pending issue for many health systems at a global level, especially in middle- and low-income countries. An effective health response requires indicators to measure the quality of care that are context-specific and feasible for routine monitoring. This paper aimed to design and validate indicators for assessing the technical and interpersonal quality dimensions for type 2 diabetes (T2D) and acute respiratory infections (ARI) care in AHS. The study was conducted in two stages. First, technical and user-centered-based indicators of quality of care for T2D and ARI care were designed following international recommendations, mainly from the American Diabetes Association standards and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines. We then assessed the validity, reliability, relevance, and feasibility of the proposed indicators implementing the modified Delphi technique. A panel of 17 medical experts from five countries scored the indicators using two electronic questionnaires, one for each reason for consultation selected, sent by email in two sequential rounds of rating. We defined the levels of consensus according to the overall median for each performance category, which was established as the threshold. Selected indicators included those with scores equal to or higher than the threshold. We designed 36 T2D indicators, of which 16 were validated for measuring the detection of risks and complications, glycemic control, pharmacological treatment, and patient-centered care. Out of the 22 indicators designed for ARI, we validated 10 for diagnosis, appropriate prescription of antimicrobials, and patient-centered care. The validated indicators showed consistency for the dimensions analyzed. Hence, they proved to be a potentially reliable and valuable tool for monitoring the performance of the various T2D and ARI care processes in AHS. Further research will be needed to verify the applicability of the validated indicators in routine clinical practice.

Point prevalence survey of antibiotic use in hospitals in Latin American countries.

BACKGROUND: Point prevalence surveys (PPSs) on antibiotic use are useful for understanding different aspects related to prescription patterns in hospitals. METHODS: An adaptation of the WHO methodology for a PPS on antibiotic use was applied. Hospital wards were divided into medical (MED), surgical (SUR), ICUs, gynaecology and obstetrics (GO), high-risk (HR) and mixed wards (MIX). A web application (RedCap©) through a mobile device was used for data collection. RESULTS: Between December 2018 and August 2019, 5444 patients in 33 hospitals in five countries were included (10 hospitals in Cuba, 7 in Paraguay, 6 in El Salvador, 5 in Mexico and 5 in Peru). Of these patients, 54.6% received at least one antibiotic, with variations between and within hospitals and countries. Antibiotics were more frequently used in ICUs (67.2%), SUR (64.5%) and MED wards (54.2%), with 51.2% of antibiotics prescribed for community-acquired infections (CAIs), 22.9% for healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), 11.1% for surgical prophylaxis and 6.1% for unknown reasons. Adherence to guidelines was observed in 68.6% of cases (72.8% for CAIs, 72.4% for HAIs and 44.3% for prophylaxis). Third-generation cephalosporins were the class of antibiotics most frequently used (26.8%), followed by carbapenems (10.3%) and fluoroquinolones (8%). Targeted treatments were achieved in 17.3% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: Antibiotic use was generally higher than that published in other studies. There is an urgent need to promote and strengthen the antimicrobial stewardship programmes in Latin America.

The implementation of pharmaceutical services in public hospitals in Mexico: an analysis of the legal framework and organizational practice.

BACKGROUND: The implementation of pharmaceutical services in hospitals contributes to the appropriate use of medicines and patient safety. However, the relationship of implementation with the legal framework and organizational practice has not been studied in depth. The objective of this research is to determine the role of these two factors (the legal framework and organizational practice) in the implementation of pharmaceutical services in public hospitals of the Ministry of Health of Mexico. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with four groups of actors involved. The analysis focused on the legal framework, defined as the rules, laws and regulations, and on organizational practice, defined as the implementation of the legal framework by related individuals, that is, how they put it into practice. RESULTS: The main problems identified were the lack of alignment between the rules and the incentives for compliance. Decision-makers identified the lack of managerial capacity in hospitals as the main implementation barrier, while hospital pharmacists pointed to poor regulation and the lack of clarity of the legal framework as the problems to consider. CONCLUSIONS: Although the legal framework related to hospital pharmaceutical services in Mexico is inadequate, organizational factors (such as adequate skills of professional pharmacists and the support of the hospital director) have facilitated gradual implementation. To improve implementation, priority should be given to evaluation and modification of the current legislation along with the development of an official minimum standard for activities and services in hospital pharmacies.

Antimicrobial stewardship in hospitals in Latin America and the Caribbean: a scoping review.

OBJECTIVES: To examine published antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) initiatives in hospitals in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) in order to characterize AMS terminology usage, geotemporality, and elements of structure (human resources), process (interventions), and outcomes, and to set priority areas for improving AMS reporting. METHODS: This was a scoping review that searched PubMed, LILACS, EMBASE, and 12 other databases, along with a manual search for academic and grey literature to identify documents on AMS initiatives in hospitals in 33 countries of LAC, up to August 2019. Keywords included 'antibiotic' or 'antimicrobial' AND 'stewardship, policy, strategies, management, control, rational use, appropriate use, surveillance, or interventions' and 33 country names. RESULTS: Selected articles totalled 147 studies published in 1985 - 2019; of those, 22% used 'antimicrobial stewardship' in the title. Eighteen countries published AMS hospital initiatives, one-half of which were implemented in capital cities. Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Cuba, Mexico, and Chile, in descending frequency, made up > 59% of published initiatives. Educational interventions were the most frequently reported, followed by persuasive and restrictive strategies. Antimicrobial consumption was the most common outcome measure reported. About one-third of the studies (35%) referred to baseline measures-only in preparation for AMS interventions. Fifty-nine studies from 6 countries reported AMS comprehensively, using structure, process, and outcome (SPO) elements. CONCLUSIONS: Published hospital AMS initiatives have increased over time and have expanded across LAC. However, more programs need to be developed. Complete reporting of SPO elements is imperative to evaluating and replicating AMS actions.

[Analysis and reflections on the 2019 initiative that reforms Mexico's Ley General de Salud]. / Análisis y reflexiones sobre la iniciativa de reforma a la Ley General de Salud de México 2019.

The initiative including an Act Project for reforming the Ley General de Salud of Mexico, submitted in 2019 to the Congress of the Union, proposes the creation of a system of universal and free access to health services and associated medicines for the population lacking of social security benefits, and the creation of the Instituto de Salud para el Bienestar. This article analyzes the substantive aspects of the project, with the aim of motivating the reflection of the proposed reform and its most important components, to contribute to achieving its aim. The conclusion is that the main themes of the Project require precision in relevant areas, such as the transformation of the financing scheme for care, the strengthening of stewardship and governance, the responsibility in the provision of services, and the regulation and access to medicines. The contributions of academics, decision makers and social organizations will be essential to create a public health policy based on evidence and social equity.

La iniciativa con Proyecto de Decreto por el que se reforma la Ley General de Salud de México presentada en 2019 ante el Congreso de la Unión propone la creación de un sistema de acceso universal y gratuito a los servicios de salud y a medicamentos asociados para la población sin seguridad social y la creación del Instituto de Salud para el Bienestar. Este artículo analiza algunos aspectos sustantivos del Proyecto de Decreto con el objetivo de motivar la reflexión sobre la reforma propuesta y sus componentes más importantes para contribuir a su propósito. Se concluye que los principales temas del proyecto requieren precisión en rubros relevantes, como la transformación del esquema de financiamiento para la atención, el fortalecimiento de la rectoría y gobernanza, la responsabilidad en la provisión de servicios y la regulación y acceso a medicamentos. Las aportaciones de académicos, tomadores de decisiones y organizaciones sociales serán indispensables para una política pública de salud basada en evidencia y con equidad social.

Análisis y reflexiones sobre la iniciativa de reforma a la Ley General de Salud de México 2019 / Analysis and reflections on the 2019 initiative that reforms Mexico's Ley General de Salud

Resumen: La iniciativa con Proyecto de Decreto por el que se reforma la Ley General de Salud de México presentada en 2019 ante el Congreso de la Unión propone la creación de un sistema de acceso universal y gratuito a los servicios de salud y a medicamentos asociados para la población sin seguridad social y la creación del Instituto de Salud para el Bienestar. Este artículo analiza algunos aspectos sustantivos del Proyecto de Decreto con el objetivo de motivar la reflexión sobre la reforma propuesta y sus componentes más importantes para contribuir a su propósito. Se concluye que los principales temas del proyecto requieren precisión en rubros relevantes, como la transformación del esquema de financiamiento para la atención, el fortalecimiento de la rectoría y gobernanza, la responsabilidad en la provisión de servicios y la regulación y acceso a medicamentos. Las aportaciones de académicos, tomadores de decisiones y organizaciones sociales serán indispensables para una política pública de salud basada en evidencia y con equidad social.

Abstract: The initiative including an Act Project for reforming the Ley General de Salud of Mexico, submitted in 2019 to the Congress of the Union, proposes the creation of a system of universal and free access to health services and associated medicines for the population lacking of social security benefits, and the creation of the Instituto de Salud para el Bienestar. This article analyzes the substantive aspects of the project, with the aim of motivating the reflection of the proposed reform and its most important components, to contribute to achieving its aim. The conclusion is that the main themes of the Project require precision in relevant areas, such as the transformation of the financing scheme for care, the strengthening of stewardship and governance, the responsibility in the provision of services, and the regulation and access to medicines. The contributions of academics, decision makers and social organizations will be essential to create a public health policy based on evidence and social equity.