Analysis of the conditions of competition in the Peruvian medical oxygen production market in the context of the health emergency and pending public policies

Abstract

The Political Constitution of Peru in its article 61 regulates the duty of the State to facilitate and monitor free competition, combating those practices that limit it and the abusive exercise of monopolistic or dominant positions. However, not all markets present conditions of perfect competition, as in the case of the medical oxygen production market in Peru, which is characterized by being oligopolistic, specifically a duopoly. This situation leads us to reflect on the role of State in economic matters. 

In this article, the authors analyze the characteristics of the oxygen market in Peru, with special emphasis on oxygen production, existing suppliers and barriers to market entry; Likewise, the relevance and necessity of the policies arranged by the State in order to face the health crisis and allow a distribution of medicinal oxygen that can satisfy the population's demand is evaluated.