OBJECTIVES Outline Latin America (LA)’s hurdles to healthcare sustainability, review the current approaches taken by LA Ministries of Health (MoHs) to control pharmaceutical spending, and propose a set of solutions that benefit both LA MoHs and the pharmaceutical industry.

METHODS Global benchmarks for healthcare sustainability, LA-specific hurdles that challenge the achievement of those targets and approaches to attain sustainability implemented globally were identified through review of 43 articles published by regional and international organizations (e.g., OECD, WHO / PAHO, United Nations, IFPMA, PhRMA, FIFARMA etc.). Identified global solutions were prioritized based on the feasibility (availability of resources / capabilities) and economic impact in the LA region.

RESULTS Despite the significant strides made to attain universal health coverage (UHC), LA’s four largest markets based on 2018 GDP - Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico - remain below the OECD and PAHO/WHO benchmarks for healthcare sustainability. Increase in the % of the population covered to meet UHC goals, aging population, and increase in the prevalence of non-communicable disease with an unfinished infectious disease agenda, coupled with constrained budgets and inadequate use of resources have led to a situation where LA healthcare systems cannot provide the services required to meet the needs of the population.

To date, the LA MoH’s approach to attain healthcare sustainability has focused on reducing the cost of pharmaceuticals, rather than addressing healthcare system inefficiencies holistically. Alternative mechanisms, such as managed entry agreements, value added services, multi-stakeholder coalitions, incorporation of MCDA within HTA, integrated health models, and local evidence generation should be explored by LA MoHs as they can lead to long-term sustainability.

CONCLUSIONS Across LA the demand for health services has outpaced supply. LA MoHs have responded by implementing measures that control the cost pharmaceuticals. Instead, LA MoHs should explore solutions focused on addressing healthcare inefficiencies holistically.