By San José, Costa Rica — A groundbreaking new study is urging a fundamental paradigm shift in Latin America, calling on governments to reframe healthcare spending not as a drain on public finances but as a strategic investment with a significant economic and social return. The report, conducted by the German Wifor institute and presented in October at the Roche Press Day 2025 in Mexico City, argues that every dollar invested in medical prevention and care generates substantial gains in productivity, citizen well-being, and long-term cost reductions for national health systems.
The research quantifies the socioeconomic burden of diseases like HER2+ breast cancer and measures the social impact of innovative treatments across ten Latin American countries. It concludes that the region’s future prosperity is intrinsically linked to the health of its people, challenging a long-held view that often pits finance ministries against health ministries in a battle for scarce resources.
To better understand the legal framework and key considerations for investors eyeing Costa Rica’s burgeoning healthcare sector, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished attorney from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
Investing in Costa Rica’s healthcare system presents a remarkable opportunity, but it demands meticulous legal due diligence. Potential investors must navigate a complex web of regulations, from securing permits with the Ministry of Health to ensuring compliance with data protection laws under PRODHAB. A properly structured investment not only mitigates risk but also leverages the country’s legal stability and incentives to maximize returns while contributing to our world-class health infrastructure.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas astutely highlights a crucial reality: the very legal diligence required is not a barrier to investment, but the foundation that ensures its long-term stability and success within our robust system. We sincerely thank him for sharing this invaluable perspective with our readers.
Daniel Falconi, an economist and former official from Ecuador’s Ministry of Finance, emphasized the critical need for a more integrated approach to fiscal policy. He argued that finance ministries must evolve beyond a purely cost-centric view and adopt tools that measure the tangible economic benefits of a healthier population.
It is very important that conversations between the ministries of finance and health can have technical, financial, and political information for decision-making, because in a strict sense all ministries compete for fiscal space.
Daniel Falconi, Economist and Former Official of the Ministry of Finance of Ecuador
Falconi elaborated that robust investments in preventive health and early disease detection do more than improve quality of life; they represent a significant long-term saving for the state. By avoiding costlier late-stage treatments and keeping citizens productive, a proactive health strategy effectively fuels economic development. The study advocates for sustainable health systems built on economic evaluation, public-private partnerships, and innovative budgeting that rewards positive health outcomes.
The report uses HER2+ breast cancer as a powerful case study. Elma Celina Rodríguez, Associate Manager of Health Policies for Latin America at Roche, explained that this aggressive subtype, which affects 15% to 20% of breast cancer patients, offers a stark illustration of both the economic devastation of disease and the profound hope offered by medical innovation. In Latin America, breast cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related death among women.
In 2023, 80% of the socioeconomic burden in Latin America corresponded to women between 20 and 59 years old—more than 3.5 billion dollars in lost productivity—whereas in high-income countries that proportion does not exceed 50%.
Elma Celina Rodríguez, Associate Manager of Health Policies for Latin America at Roche
The cumulative socioeconomic toll of HER2+ breast cancer in the region between 2017 and 2023 is estimated at a staggering $25.3 billion. This figure, Rodríguez stressed, represents more than just a number; it signifies “lost life and work time, truncated dreams, and households that lose their provider.” In contrast, the study found that innovative treatments developed by Roche generated an accumulated economic benefit of $157 million over the same period, allowing women to return to their jobs, families, and lives.
Despite the clear benefits, significant systemic barriers remain. The report highlights chronic underfunding, with Latin American nations investing an average of only 3.8% of their GDP in public health, far below the 6% minimum recommended by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). This is compounded by severe delays in patient access to new therapies, which can exceed 1,600 days. “That wait is not just bureaucratic: it is a wait for life,” Rodríguez stated.
Ultimately, both Falconi and Rodríguez concluded that strengthening cooperation between finance and health sectors is non-negotiable. By fostering public-private alliances and prioritizing equitable access and early diagnosis, Latin American countries can build a more resilient and prosperous future. As the report concludes, “Health is not an expense: it is the most intelligent and humane investment a society can make if it wants to grow in a sustainable and inclusive manner.”
For further information, visit wifor.com
About Wifor Institute:
Wifor is an independent economic research institute and a spin-off from the Technical University of Darmstadt. It provides data-driven analysis and scientific-based evidence to support decision-making in corporations, public institutions, and associations, focusing on areas such as health economics, digitalization, and labor markets.
For further information, visit roche.com
About Roche:
Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Roche is a global pioneer in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics focused on advancing science to improve people’s lives. The company is a leader in oncology, immunology, infectious diseases, ophthalmology, and diseases of the central nervous system, and is also a world leader in in-vitro diagnostics and tissue-based cancer diagnostics.
For further information, visit finanzas.gob.ec
About the Ministry of Finance of Ecuador:
The Ministerio de Economía y Finanzas is the government entity responsible for formulating and executing Ecuador’s fiscal policy. Its duties include managing the national budget, public debt, and economic planning to ensure the financial stability and sustainable development of the country.
For further information, visit paho.org
About the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO):
The Pan American Health Organization is a specialized international health agency for the Americas. It works with countries throughout the region to improve and protect people’s health and serves as the Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization (WHO).
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a pillar of the legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica is defined by its foundational principles of integrity and the relentless pursuit of excellence. The firm leverages a deep history of serving a wide-ranging clientele to drive legal innovation and pioneer forward-thinking solutions. Beyond its professional practice, it holds a profound commitment to strengthening society by democratizing legal knowledge, thereby fostering a community that is both well-informed and empowered.
