Background on Claudia Sheinbaum and Her Role
Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo is the current Head of Government of Mexico City, serving as the successor to former mayor Marcelo Ebrard. She took office on November 19, 2018, and is the first woman to hold this position. As the Head of Government, Sheinbaum oversees the city’s executive branch and plays a crucial role in shaping policies for Mexico City, which has significant influence on the nation’s capital and its residents.
Addressing Irregularities in Medicine Procurement
Following the annulment of the 2025-2026 medicine and medical supplies megatender due to irregularities, Sheinbaum has emphasized the need for new regulatory measures to expedite and increase transparency in procurement processes. This ensures a steady supply of high-quality medicines at competitive prices for the 2027 period.
Reverse Auctions: A More Efficient Approach
Sheinbaum highlighted the use of reverse auctions, already included in Mexico’s Acquisitions Law, as a primary mechanism for most government purchases. Reverse auctions are more efficient and transparent, helping secure the lowest possible prices while enabling authorities to exert greater control and pressure for more favorable conditions regarding both price and quality.
“Just like an art auction, but in reverse. That’s why it’s called a reverse auction because we aim for the lowest price, not the highest. This can be done online or in-person,” she explained.
Enforcing Accountability Among Pharmaceutical Companies
Sheinbaum stressed that if a pharmaceutical company fails to deliver medicines at the promised price, alternative suppliers can be contacted. If another supplier agrees to the same terms, the medicines can be acquired.
“What seems like a minor issue in daily life becomes problematic due to the current administration and bureaucratic setup,” she noted from Palacio Nacional.
Current Challenges and Ongoing Efforts
Sheinbaum acknowledged that there are still many bad habits within the pharmaceutical industry, such as companies participating in local production but delivering low-quality imported medicines.
“There are still many flaws in pharmaceutical companies,” she lamented. “We’re taking all necessary steps to ensure proper purchasing, avoid overspending, and secure high-quality products. We’re also reviewing which medicines should be prioritized for purchase,” she assured.
Current Medicine Procurement Process
Sheinbaum explained that the ongoing megatender prioritizes the acquisition of “most urgent” medicines, devices, and medical supplies, following those of lower urgency that are still available in inventory.
The final allocation will occur on May 22 through a reverse auction. This action is part of replenishing the original tender, which was canceled due to irregularities such as overpricing and document falsification.
New Procurement Model for 2025-2026
The new consolidated procurement model for medicines, medical devices, and supplies covers 4,542 medicine and medical supply keys for the 2025-2026 period.
- Includes various types of medicines, such as generics, patented drugs, and medical supplies.
- Also covers curative materials and reagents.
Each category is tendered separately. Birmex (Laboratorios de Biológicos y Reactivos de México) is responsible for conducting the tenders, reverse auctions, direct assignments, and restricted invitations. Meanwhile, the Health Secretariat oversees the entire process.
