Background on the Key Players and Relevance
The pharmaceutical industry in Mexico, represented by the Comisión de Salud del Consejo Coordinador Empresarial (CCE), has called on the federal government to settle overdue payments amounting to 40,000 million pesos (approximately $20 million USD) since 2019. Additionally, they seek resolution for logistical and administrative challenges that have hindered the timely delivery of medicines across various distribution centers nationwide.
Patrick Devlyn, president of the Comisión de Salud del CCE, emphasized that addressing these outstanding debts would resolve between 67% and 70% of the medicine shortage problem. He referenced data from the Cámara Nacional de la Industria Farmacéutica (Canifarma) indicating that the arrears total over 20,000 million pesos among just 50 laboratories. If all 80 involved laboratories are considered, the debt could exceed 40,000 million pesos, though this amount remains unverified.
Government’s Response and Current Situation
On September 23, the federal government published a list of companies that failed to deliver medicines and medical supplies as part of the consolidated purchase for the 2025-2026 period. In response, Devlyn explained that supply shortages persist due to insufficient planning in medicine procurement, contracting, and distribution for public institutions such as IMSS, ISSSTE, and IMSS-Bienestar.
Proposed Solutions by the Pharmaceutical Industry
Devlyn expressed support for centralizing the purchasing process through Birmex (Mexico’s Biologicals and Reagents Laboratory), but stressed the need for a streamlined, clear, and well-planned route for carrying out purchases.
He also highlighted the urgency of administrative and logistical simplification, as contract signing and medicine delivery coordination have become a “nightmare.” Devlyn mentioned that some pharmaceutical companies cannot deliver medical supplies because Birmex warehouses are full.
“Administrative and logistical complexity has prevented contract-holding laboratories from finalizing contracts or completing deliveries, even when they have inventory. Moreover, these companies haven’t received payments for the medicines they’ve successfully delivered,” Devlyn explained.
Hope for Resolution
Devlyn remains optimistic that the administration of Mexico City’s mayor, Claudia Sheinbaum, will address the pending debts with pharmaceutical companies. “The willingness to resolve this issue is genuine,” he stated.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the total amount of overdue payments demanded by pharmaceutical companies? Pharmaceutical companies are seeking approximately 40,000 million pesos (around $20 million USD) in overdue payments from the federal government.
- Which organizations are involved in this dispute? The Comisión de Salud del Consejo Coordinador Empresarial (CCE) represents the pharmaceutical industry, while the federal government is responsible for settling the debts.
- What are the main challenges faced by the pharmaceutical industry in delivering medicines? The industry faces logistical and administrative hurdles, including insufficient planning in procurement, contracting, and distribution, as well as complexities in contract signing and delivery coordination.
- What is the proposed solution to resolve these issues? The pharmaceutical industry supports centralizing the purchasing process through Birmex and emphasizes the need for simplified administrative and logistical procedures.
- Is there hope for a resolution to this dispute? Devlyn, president of the Comisión de Salud del CCE, believes that the administration of Claudia Sheinbaum will address the pending debts, expressing optimism about genuine willingness to resolve the issue.
