Dr. Simi Nominated

A number of times I have written about "Farmacias Similares", a drug store chain represented by the cartoon character of "Dr. Simi", a jovial, rotund, elderly doctor.  As I was walking around Alejandro's neighborhood the other day, once again I saw "Dr. Simi" dancing in front of the nearby branch of the pharmacy.  This time he was dressed in a Mexican soccer shirt.

On radio commercials for "Farmacias Similares" I have heard that the real "Dr. Simi", the founder of the chain, Victor González Torres, has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for 2024.

(image taken from the internet)

"Farmacias Similares" offers generic drugs that are affordable for lower-income Mexicans.  Each drug store also has a doctor's office where people can consult with a physician and have simple procedures done at a nominal cost.  The popular "Dr. Simi" dolls are hand-made with recycled materials at a factory that employs people with disabilities, and 100% of the profits from the dolls are used to support programs for the disabled.  The company has been criticized and even threatened with lawsuits by pharmaceutical companies who question the quality of the generic drugs.  However, the generics, by Mexican law, must pass medical studies, and no lawsuit has actually been brought to court.

I have not been able to find any articles on the internet confirming that González Torres has been nominated for the Nobel Prize, but there is no doubt that the "Dr. Simi" character is beloved by the Mexican people.