Latin America: The Story of Access So Far…
- Hope Worsdale
- 7 hours ago
- 4 min read
Across Latin America, the situation for people with cystic fibrosis remains unacceptable. Thousands of CF patients are still without access to life-saving CFTR modulators, not because the medicines do not exist, but because they are priced far beyond reach.
In country after country, desperate families have been forced to use national legal systems to sue their own governments for access to Trikafta at Vertex’s extortionate list prices. This is an unfair and entirely unsustainable model of access. It benefits Vertex above all others, while placing enormous strain on public health budgets and creating deeply inequitable outcomes - where only those with the resources and capacity to navigate complex legal processes can obtain treatment.
Yet recent developments across the region show that when governments are willing to challenge Vertex’s monopoly, meaningful progress and access is possible.
Brazil
In 2023 we worked alongside families and allies in Brazil to support pressure on the government to issue a compulsory licence if a fair commercial agreement could not be reached with Vertex. This credible threat had a decisive impact.
As a result, Vertex significantly reduced its price and a deal was reached to supply Trikafta to eligible patients through Brazil’s public health system - a landmark achievement that demonstrated the power of collective action and political will.
Since then, we have remained in close communication with CF families and allies across the region, tracking developments and sharing lessons learned.
Uruguay
In Uruguay, patients were also being forced to sue the government for access to Trikafta at full list price. Frustrated by paying enormous sums for a small number of patients, the government took a bold step.
In August 2024, it issued a public notice inviting generic manufacturers to come forward. Three manufacturers submitted applications, and the government began exploring alternative supply options. The mere threat of breaking Vertex’s monopoly was enough to force the company back to the negotiating table with a new proposal.
By December 2024, a commercial agreement was announced by the Ministry of Economics and Finance - again showing that Vertex will reduce prices, but only when its monopoly and huge profits are directly challenged.
Chile
A similar pattern emerged in Chile. As the government grew increasingly concerned about the vast sums being paid to Vertex for a handful of patients, it began exploring alternative solutions.
In April 2025, we supported the submission of letters to the Chilean Health Secretary and government, signed by 50 CF family members, demanding the issuance of a compulsory licence to allow access to cheaper generics. We received a swift response and a commitment that the request would be addressed in an upcoming government session.
Just two months later, in June 2025, the Ministry of Health announced that a commercial agreement with Vertex had been reached and that Trikafta would be included in their health system.
Peru
In Peru, access remains severely limited. Following conversations with global and Latin American access-to-medicines allies in 2024 and 2025, a coalition of organisations sent a joint letter to the Peruvian government in September 2025.
The letter highlighted that while more than 100 people in Peru require Trikafta, only 12 patients were receiving it - solely due to unaffordable pricing. The coalition called for Trikafta to be declared a medicine of public interest and urged the government to take steps toward issuing a compulsory licence to enable access to more affordable alternatives.
We are waiting to hear the outcome of this action and the steps that the government will take.
Still Left Behind…
Mexico
Mexico remains one of the starkest examples of injustice. More than 1,000 people have been diagnosed with CF, yet there is still no access to modulators through the healthcare system.
Despite Trikafta being approved by the national regulator COFEPRIS in September 2024, no agreement has been reached in 16 months of price negotiations with Vertex. Once again, Vertex’s strategy of holding patients to ransom and denying access unless governments submit to sky-high prices - is laid bare. We cannot stand back and allow this situation to continue and we intend to work with families in Mexico until access to lifesaving treatment is secured.
What These Stories Tell Us
The experiences of Brazil, Uruguay, and Chile all point to one clear conclusion: when Vertex’s monopoly and profit margins are threatened, the company responds with new proposals and lower prices - but only then.
Crucially, all of these successes occurred at a time when no truly viable generic alternative was available. Argentinian generics remain prohibitively expensive. But this is about to change.
With Triko* (a quality assured, generic version of Trikafta produced in Bangladesh for a fraction of the price) now on the horizon, there is no longer any excuse for inaction.
Governments must urgently explore procuring Triko - using tools such as compulsory licences, which lawfully allow governments to override monopolies when excessive pricing denies patients access to life-saving treatment - so families can get the treatment they need now, not years from now. Lives depend on it.
Gayle
CF Mum and Senior Organiser at the Right to Breathe Campaign
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