Background and Relevance
Raquel Buenrostro, the Secretary of Anti-Corruption and Good Governance, announced that Biomics Lab has been disqualified and 16 pharmaceutical companies are under investigation for irregularities found in the bidding process for the consolidated purchase of medications for the period 2025-2026.
Biomics Lab and these pharmaceutical companies are significant due to their involvement in supplying essential medications. Their disqualification and investigation impact the availability of crucial healthcare resources for the targeted period.
Investigation Details
Biomics Lab Disqualification:
Biomics Lab was disqualified following the discovery of irregularities in their participation. This action aims to ensure transparency and fairness in the procurement process.
16 Pharmaceutical Companies Under Investigation:
- Each of these companies has been identified with a specific irregularity.
- They participated in the bidding process to sell medications without having the required registration from Cofepris, which is mandatory for any company dealing with medications.
Additional Irregularities:
Beyond the disqualification of Biomics Lab and investigation of 16 companies, further irregularities were found in the procurement process involving over 650 items.
Falsification of Documents
Another company is likely to face a criminal process for falsifying documents before Cofepris, though its name has not been disclosed as the investigation is still in a deliberative phase.
Impact on Medication Supply
Buenrostro highlighted that many supply issues stem from companies failing to meet their contractual obligations. Some companies prefer paying fines instead of fulfilling their commitments, opting for less costly penalties over delivering medications to remote locations.
Collaborative Efforts
To prevent future irregularities, the Secretary of Health and Cofepris are working together to establish clearer and simpler procedures for the procurement process.
Key Questions and Answers
- What actions have been taken against companies involved in irregularities?
- What additional irregularities were found during the investigation?
Over 650 items were found to have irregularities, including 175 instances of overpricing. However, the economic damage did not materialize as the licitation was declared null.
- What is being done to prevent future irregularities in the medication procurement process?
The Secretary of Health and Cofepris are collaborating to establish clearer, simpler procedures for the procurement process to avoid abuses and irregularities in the future.
Biomics Lab has been disqualified, and 16 pharmaceutical companies are under investigation for not meeting the necessary registration requirements with Cofepris.
