Introduction
In modern healthcare systems, ensuring timely, efficient, and equitable access to essential medicines is a persistent challenge. Rising costs, fragmented demand, and pressure on public budgets necessitate innovative solutions. One such strategy gaining prominence is consolidated purchasing of medicines, which focuses on concentrating demand and collective bargaining to secure better pricing, quality, and supply conditions.
Mexico’s Consolidated Purchasing Milestone
The consolidated purchasing of medicines and medical supplies for the 2025-2026 period marked a significant milestone in Mexico’s healthcare system due to its scope and the challenges faced.
Extensive Participation and Extended Evaluation Period
More than 400 proposals were received, double the usual average, requiring an extension of the evaluation period without affecting delivery times.
High Coverage and Direct Distribution Strategy
Out of 3,900 tenders, proposals were obtained for 98.5% of the required items, and additional negotiations resulted in nearly 99% coverage. A direct distribution strategy was implemented for specialized medications, such as hemophilia treatments, to hospitals and homes.
Key Players and Controversies
The consolidated purchasing process in Mexico involves a complex network of public institutions, private companies, and oversight bodies. Key players include:
- Secretaría de Salud (SSA): The Ministry of Health, responsible for overall health policy and coordination.
- Laboratorios de Biológicos y Reactivos de México (Birmex): A state-owned company in charge of logistics, adjudication, and distribution of medications.
- Institutions from the Health Sector: Including IMSS, ISSSTE, IMSS-Bienestar, PEMEX, the Mexican Navy, and national health institutes.
- Pharmaceutical Laboratories: Both domestic and international companies supplying medications.
- Secretaría Anticorrupción y Buen Gobierno: The Anti-Corruption Secretariat, which oversees the legality of the process.
Controversies have arisen due to alleged corrupt practices, leading to the dismissal of six officials and the initiation of at least 13 administrative investigations.
Unmet Expectations and Persistent Issues
Despite the milestone, consolidated purchasing has not yielded the desired results for the federal government and the healthcare sector. Traditional issues from pre-4T (Fourth Transformation) purchasing systems have resurfaced, with new actors, fresh fortunes, and old vices plaguing the pharmaceutical sector.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is consolidated purchasing in the pharmaceutical sector? Consolidated purchasing is a strategy that concentrates demand and enables collective bargaining to secure better pricing, quality, and supply conditions for essential medicines.
- What challenges did Mexico face in its consolidated purchasing process? Mexico encountered high proposal volume, requiring an extended evaluation period; nearly complete coverage of required items through negotiations; and a direct distribution strategy for specialized medications.
- Who are the key players in Mexico’s consolidated purchasing process? Key players include the Ministry of Health, state-owned company Birmex, various health institutions, pharmaceutical laboratories, and the Anti-Corruption Secretariat.
- What controversies have arisen in Mexico’s consolidated purchasing process? Allegations of corrupt practices have led to the dismissal of officials and initiated investigations, highlighting persistent issues in the process.
- Why haven’t consolidated purchasing results met expectations in Mexico? Traditional issues from pre-4T purchasing systems, such as new actors and old vices, have continued to affect the pharmaceutical sector.
