Background on the Medical Device Industry and ANAPS
The medical device industry in Mexico comprises around 400 manufacturers and over 1,800 direct importers. The Association of National Health Providers (ANAPS), founded on June 14, 2012, represents 740 medical device providers. ANAPS has raised concerns about low participation in recent bidding processes for medical devices, which could lead to supply shortages and reduced competitiveness in future consolidated purchases.
Current Situation and Challenges
In the 2025-2026 consolidated purchase, approximately 40% of the overall participation came from the medical device industry. However, only 42 manufacturers and 60 importers participated in the public bidding process. The low participation rate of just 19% receiving more than two offers in the past year highlights the challenges faced by medical device providers.
Carlos Salazar Gaytán, president of ANAPS, explained that the declining participation from manufacturers and importers is due to complexities in the bidding process, lack of clarity, and delayed payments. He suggested that increasing trust and establishing clear conditions with timely payments could triple the number of participants, fostering more competition and reducing costs.
Planning for 2027-2028 Consolidated Purchases
Despite the challenges, Salazar Gaytán mentioned that there is significant progress in planning for public procurement of medicines and medical supplies from 2027 to 2028. This should help resolve shortages, provided that established commitments are met.
Manufacturers require around 120 days to import raw materials and produce medical devices. Salazar Gaytán noted increased rigidity in consolidated purchase pre-bases, suggesting that some points should be negotiated due to perceived non-compliance by manufacturers. He also pointed out operational, administrative, and procedural challenges that hinder timely payments.
Pre-bases of the Upcoming Tender
The pre-bases for the upcoming tender divide the process into two blocks: one for national and trade agreement country providers, and another for international open bidding. A probable 3% inventory reserve, managed by Birmex, would apply to curative materials and a 5% reserve for medicines.
To ensure better supplier compliance, a six-month compliance letter and a 50% minimum participation requirement will be necessary. Products must have health registration, and suppliers should submit weekly inventory reports and demonstrate production capacity.
Additionally, a 5% strategic reserve of adjudicated demand will be implemented despite the risk of expiration and supply control issues. Penalties remain at 2.5% per day, capped at 10%, with a single guarantee covering compliance, damages, hidden faults. In case of non-compliance, authorities can purchase from third parties and charge the original supplier for any excess.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the current situation in Mexico’s medical device industry? There is low participation from medical device providers in recent bidding processes, raising concerns about future supply shortages and reduced competitiveness.
- How many manufacturers and importers participated in the 2025-2026 bidding process? Only 42 manufacturers and 60 importers participated, out of approximately 400 manufacturers and over 1,800 importers in Mexico.
- What challenges does the medical device industry face? The industry faces complexities in bidding processes, lack of clarity, delayed payments, and operational, administrative, and procedural challenges.
- What is being planned for the 2027-2028 consolidated purchases? Significant progress is being made in planning public procurement of medicines and medical supplies, with measures to address shortages if commitments are met.
- What are the key requirements for suppliers in the upcoming tender? Suppliers must have health registration, submit weekly inventory reports, demonstrate production capacity, and provide a six-month compliance letter with at least 50% participation.
- What inventory reserve is proposed for the upcoming tender? A 3% reserve for curative materials and a 5% reserve for medicines, managed by Birmex.
