In a secret Facebook group, Argentines with spare medications are connecting with those who lost access to their treatments after President Javier Milei suspended the DADSE federal agency, which funded expensive medications. The group operates in code, using emojis and coded language to avoid detection by Facebook. Whenever the platform removes the group for violating its rules on drug sales, another appears in its place.
The Impact of Healthcare Cuts
The underground network has grown as many Argentines report worsening health since Mr. Milei implemented drastic cuts to healthcare. Ariel Wagener, a leukemia patient, shared his despair:
“I’m going back home today, but I’ll be dead soon.”
Wagener was hospitalized this year with failing kidneys after losing access to his leukemia drug, which costs $2 million per year and is not covered under Argentina’s new universal healthcare system. He expressed his desperation, stating:
“Milei is saying there’s no money.”
Economic Crisis in Argentina
Argentina has been struggling financially since 2023, when it defaulted on its foreign debt. The country has experienced inflation soaring above 100 percent and worsening dollar shortages amid an economic crisis that has left millions without jobs or savings.
While many Argentines, including cancer patients like Wagener, have been forced into poverty, others have found ways to navigate President Milei’s austerity measures aimed at reducing government spending and increasing efficiency in public services.
Alternative Solutions for Patients
Patients have resorted to various methods to obtain medications:
- Buying medicines online from countries where they are cheaper or available for free through public programs like Medicare or Medicaid in the United States.
- Purchasing from pharmacies abroad, where prices can be lower due to the absence of profit margins added to sales in Argentina.
One patient shared her experience of buying medication online:
"I bought my insulin online because it’s cheaper than what I could get here."
She explained that purchasing insulin locally would cost her over $1 million per month, which was unfeasible given her monthly income of about $1,500 after taxes. By buying abroad, she saves thousands of dollars each month.
Another patient reported similar struggles:
"I’m dying little by little," he wrote, emphasizing the impact of losing access to necessary treatments.
He described losing 20 pounds rapidly and the potential for fatal complications if he does not regain access to his medication soon.
Hope Amidst Despair
Despite these challenges, many patients remain hopeful about finding solutions outside official channels. One patient stated:
"We’re not giving up hope yet."
As another put it succinctly:
"We’ll keep fighting until we find a way."
The resilience of these individuals highlights the ongoing struggle for access to essential medications in the face of significant healthcare cuts and economic hardship.
I’m Mark W. Lamplugh Jr., a visionary Chief Executive Officer, Board Member, and best-selling Author with over 25 years of experience driving significant revenue growth and optimizing ROI across the healthcare, wellness, and media industries. Throughout my career, I’ve consistently transformed underperforming operations into thriving ventures by building top-tier marketing organizations, implementing data-driven strategies, and leading transformational change. My empathetic, collaborative, and adaptable leadership style has allowed me to cultivate inclusive cultures of innovation, develop and retain top talent, and forge strong partnerships that fuel organizational success.
Adept in executive leadership, strategic business planning, and brand and marketing strategy, I have a proven track record of boosting annual revenues—achieving up to $1.3B in oncology over three years and generating $360M in mental health initiatives. My approach combines strategic vision with hands-on execution, as evidenced by my success in launching innovative facilities, expanding services for addiction and mental health care, and enhancing organizational brand visibility. As author of “The AI Marketing Playbook,” I contribute thought leadership on the integration of artificial intelligence in marketing, a role that showcases my commitment to staying at the forefront of industry innovation.
I also bring my insights and expertise to a broad audience as the host of cable tv & global streaming of “Street Level Marketing Show,” while my writing has been featured in major publications such as Entrepreneur, Business.com, The Startup, and Kivo Daily. Whether I’m implementing targeted digital marketing campaigns that engage over a million individuals monthly or overseeing multi-million dollar budgets to maximize return on investment, I approach every challenge with a combination of strategic planning, creative problem-solving, and unwavering dedication. Above all, I am passionate about expanding access to high-quality addiction and mental health care through innovative solutions that drive both patient outcomes and organizational growth.
Mark serves on the board of One World for Life, National Fire Heritage Center, and the Institute for Responder Wellness.
Mark (https://marklamplugh.com) is one of the top marketing executives in the United States and has revolutionized how companies reach potential clients thru influence, SEO, social, PR, and traditional marketing. His expertise in Marketing, Social Media, Digital Marketing, and Public Relations has generated millions of dollars in revenue for several national companies. Mark documents many of his techniques in his book “Beginners Guide to Social & Digital Media.” and “Marketing Playbook for Social Media,” which was named the top 100 social media marketing books of all time by Book Authority. He’s also a professional advocate for the behavioral and mental health of firefighters and other first responders. Marks articles have been published in Better Marketing, Startup Magazine, Social Media Today, Kivo Daily, Biz Catalyst 360, Fire Engineering, Firehouse Magazine, and several others.
One of his companies, niches, are marketing products and services to the public safety industry and their employees, specifically mental & behavioral health services. He can be reached for comment at ceo@influencemediasolutions.com
23,000 #1 Connections, 40,000,000 US B2B Contacts and 300,000,000 B2b/B2C email contacts as well as 1,000,000+ monthly social media reach. https://marklamplugh.com
