Introduction
The Mexican pharmaceutical sector is experiencing a unique moment that it cannot afford to miss. Once at the fringe of stigma during the previous administration, it has now been recognized as a crucial sector, with the government planning to boost investments and employment.
Recognition in the Plan México
The Plan México has granted the pharmaceutical industry a protagonist role, something never seen before in an economic development plan that proposes public-private collaboration to produce items such as vaccines.
Although the specifics of how this will be executed are still unclear, the industry is expected to play a part in making it happen. The sector has shown willingness to invest due to expansion opportunities in the domestic market, and there is a focus on attracting more investments towards medical research.
The pharmaceutical investments announced in July last year amount to over 22,000 million pesos by 2025. However, the Plan México’s challenge is to multiply these figures by 2030. Whether this goal will be achieved remains to be seen, but currently, the spotlight is on the industry; they can no longer argue that their concerns are ignored.
Government Support and Coordination
The Secretary of Health, David Kershenobich, meets with the sector whenever requested and is aligned with the Secretary of Economy, Marcelo Ebrard. For the first time, there is a specific person responsible for linking with the health sector: Dr. Javier Dávila, General Director of Planning and Evaluation, who understands the health system’s needs well.
There is reportedly a joint coordination effort, unprecedented before, between the domestic medication production sector, including Amelaf and Anafam, as well as Canifarma. The innovation sector, represented by AMIIF, is also part of this scenario.
The plan to boost research and development is underway, with Cofepris needing to streamline its processes and become more efficient—it’s on the right track but still has progress to make. AMIIF plays a crucial role here, and its president, Julio Ordaz, must ensure the council of 32 directors is well-organized following Larry Rubin’s unexpected departure. Karla Báez, the interim director executive and director of Access to Innovation and Health, has the experience, talent, and support needed to quickly reaffirm AMIIF’s position. It’s time for women in pharma, and it’s fitting that a female medical professional leads AMIIF for the first time.
Time for Women in Pharma
The pharmaceutical sector is likely the most gender-balanced industry proportionally. Of all jobs generated by AMIIF member companies, 51% are held by women, with 24% in leadership positions. Furthermore, eight companies are led by women: Susana Suárez (Amgen México), Alessa Costa (Astellas Pharma), Yaniris Silva (BMRN México), Karla Alcázar (Eli Lilly, Latin America President), Paulina Escobedo (LFB México), Jennifer Cox (Merck Sharp & Dohme, MSD), Mónica Palomanes (Roche), and Emily Morris (Sanofi).
AMIIF directors include Karla Báez, interim director executive and director of Access to Innovation and Health; Nelva Galindo, director of Regulatory Affairs; and Lucia Salcedo, director of Communication.
Addressing Public Procurement Issues
It’s evident that without resolving the shortages—a legacy of the previous government—all other efforts will be overshadowed. Following the failed consolidated purchase cancellation incident, with ongoing repercussions—currently, distribution is piecemeal, and years of accumulated shortages remain unresolved, especially in IMSS Bienestar—planning for the 2026-2027 purchase has begun.
Hopefully, there will finally be a learning curve and the shortages resolved, but the issue remains budgetary, falling under Secretary Edgar Amador and his team at the Secretaría de Hacienda. They must show sensitivity to increase public health investment and stop strangling hospitals and medical institutions, prolonging the suffering of Mexican patients.
Improvisation in Tamaulipas’ “Rutas de la Salud”
In Tamaulipas, the IMSS-Bienestar program faces severe shortage and improvisation problems, according to a local clinic doctor.
After requesting a pick-up for urgently needed medications, they only received four boxes with 70 keys in insufficient and illogical quantities for actual needs. The “Rutas de la Salud” operate with complete disconnection between central planning in Mexico City and on-the-ground reality, causing frustration among staff.
Another example is the unrealistic targets imposed: a clinic in a community of fewer than 100 residents is required to meet 5,110 consultations annually. Where will they find patients? In another community of 1,800 residents, only 700 consultations have been registered this year, far from the thousands demanded by executives.
This lack of situational diagnosis encourages data manipulation to meet administrative indicators, detrimental to real patient care. Deficient logistics also results in surprise deliveries and irregular signatures, exacerbating the public health system’s crisis.
