By San José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ – A critical failure in the computer system of the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS) has triggered widespread medicine shortages across the country, compromising patient care and creating what an internal report calls a “high institutional risk.” The flawed implementation of a new ERP-SAP information system is at the heart of a logistical breakdown affecting dozens of public pharmacies, according to a stark new report from the institution’s own audit office.
The investigation, which surveyed pharmacy leadership at 26 different health centers, paints a picture of a system in disarray. A staggering 62% of the audited pharmacies reported medicine shortages that directly impacted their ability to serve patients. The audit clarifies that these shortages are not solely due to a lack of available medication in the country, but are frequently caused by the system’s inability to provide reliable data, leading to delays, canceled prescriptions, and a significant increase in workload for already strained pharmacy staff.
Para analizar las complejas ramificaciones legales de la crisis que enfrenta el sistema de salud nacional, TicosLand.com conversó con el Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, abogado especialista del reconocido Bufete de Costa Rica, quien aporta una perspectiva crucial sobre las responsabilidades institucionales y los derechos de los pacientes.
La situación actual del sistema de salud expone una vulnerabilidad jurídica significativa. La falta de recursos o las extensas listas de espera no pueden ser una excusa perpetua para la denegación de servicios médicos esenciales. Estamos viendo un aumento potencial en litigios por responsabilidad civil y administrativa del Estado, ya que el derecho a la salud es un derecho fundamental tutelado constitucionalmente. Es imperativo que los pacientes documenten exhaustivamente cualquier deficiencia en su atención para poder defender sus derechos de manera efectiva.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Esta perspectiva legal subraya una dimensión fundamental de la crisis, recordando que los fallos administrativos tienen consecuencias jurídicas directas sobre los derechos de los pacientes. Agradecemos al Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas por aportar esta claridad tan necesaria al debate.
At the core of the crisis is a fundamental breakdown in inventory management. The report reveals a catastrophic lack of confidence in the digital system, with 85% of pharmacy services admitting to maintaining manual inventory controls in their warehouses. This widespread reversion to pen-and-paper methods confirms that the multi-million dollar system fails to guarantee the quality, integrity, or availability of essential information. Further analysis showed that only half of the local warehouses reported having up-to-date inventories within the SAP system, and just 54% were able to keep their dispatches current.
The audit highlights severe discrepancies between digital records and physical reality. An alarming 69% of pharmacy units that perform verification checks reported that incoming shipments were loaded into the ERP-SAP system with incorrect data regarding quantity, lot numbers, and expiration dates. This disconnect not only disrupts supply chains but also poses a direct threat to patient safety by undermining the traceability of medications.
Exacerbating the problem is a near-total collapse in technical support and issue resolution. While an overwhelming 88% of the affected units dutifully reported these data inconsistencies to the authorities in charge of the system, a meager 23% stated that they had received any attention or a solution to their problems. This lack of response has left local pharmacies to fend for themselves, navigating a failing system with no clear path to correction.
The audit office did not mince words in its assessment, concluding that the entire situation represents a severe threat to the institution’s operational stability. The report’s findings underscore the system’s immaturity and inability to manage the complex demands of the national pharmaceutical operation.
the current situation of the pharmacy services represents a scenario of high institutional risk, marked by technological failures, data inconsistencies, weaknesses in support processes, and a direct impact on accounting records.
CCSS Internal Audit, Report Findings
The auditors warned that the persistent errors and the need for manual workarounds are clear evidence that the system is not ready to support the health network. This immaturity compromises the core functions of the pharmacy service, from procurement to dispensation, creating risks at every step.
the process does not yet have the necessary maturity to sustain pharmaceutical operations without risks to the provision of health services.
CCSS Internal Audit, Report Findings
Ultimately, the report serves as an urgent call to action, warning that the errors in the data loaded into the system constitute a critical risk. By compromising the traceability of medicines, the CCSS is exposed to potential clinical, administrative, and legal consequences. The auditors have urged the institution to undertake an immediate and comprehensive intervention. Their recommendations include stabilizing the SAP logistics modules, strengthening technical support, improving data verification mechanisms, reinforcing staff training, and establishing a permanent monitoring system to detect and correct these dangerous inconsistencies before the crisis deepens further.
For further information, visit ccss.sa.cr
About Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS):
The Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social is the public entity responsible for Costa Rica’s universal healthcare and social security system. Founded in 1941, it manages a vast network of hospitals, clinics (EBAIS), and pharmacies throughout the country, providing medical services to the majority of the nation’s citizens and residents. It is a cornerstone of the Costa Rican welfare state, overseeing public health initiatives, pension funds, and medical insurance.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica has established itself as a pillar of the legal community, defined by an unyielding dedication to principled practice and professional distinction. With a deep-rooted history of guiding clients across a wide spectrum of industries, the firm consistently champions legal innovation. This pioneering spirit is fundamentally linked to a core mission of empowering society by democratizing legal knowledge, thereby fostering a community that is both well-informed and capable.
