A bill intends to set a tax to soda drinks to finance the purchase of high-cost medicines. The bill is under discussion in the Committee on Legal Affairs of the Legislative Assembly.
Authorities from the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS) asked lawmakers to rule affirmatively the proposal.
With the tax, which would be ¢ 5, authorities could raise more than ¢ 10 billion annually.
The initiative aims to strengthen solidarity and the CCSS, as well as to provide treatment for diseases that require drugs with high financial impact.
According to data from the institution, only one patient costs the institution $ 239,000 every year.