Introduction
In recent decades, Mexico has emerged as a global manufacturing giant in the medical devices sector, generating thousands of high-specialization jobs and positioning the country as the leading exporter in Latin America and fifth worldwide. With monthly exports surpassing $1.3 billion in the first months of 2025, according to the Secretaría de Economía, Mexico’s relevant market approaches $15 billion annually, driven by clusters in Baja California, Jalisco, and Nuevo León.
The Growth of Multinational Corporations
This boom aims to align with President Claudia Sheinbaum’s Plan México, attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) in diverse areas such as implants, prosthetics, imaging, medical software, remote monitoring devices, and now artificial intelligence. Nine out of the top ten global innovation companies in this sector are based in Mexico, including Medtronic, Baxter, Becton Dickinson, Siemens Healthineers, GE Healthcare, Boston Scientific, and BBraun.
The Emergence of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
Behind this export leadership, which could propel Mexico to the third position globally, lies an ecosystem of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) striving to sustain the value chain and foster innovation in technological development. While multinationals focus on innovation in other countries, SMEs provide essential services like logistics, assembly, and distribution around large medical device manufacturing plants.
SMEs’ Challenges and ANAPS’s Initiative
In the last decade, this subsector has grown at an annual rate of 15%, surpassing even the pharmaceutical industry in dynamism and generating jobs in key regions like Baja California, which accounts for 60% of national exports. However, these SMEs—mainly distributors, assemblers, and low- to medium-volume manufacturers—face a representative void that hinders their potential. They haven’t found full space in private organizations like the Mexican Association of Innovative Medical Device Industries (AMID) or the National Pharmaceutical Industry Chamber (CANIFARMA).
AMID and CANIFARMA’s Roles
Founded to foster innovation in over 75 medical specialties, AMID is composed of 52 innovative companies and has been a pillar in collaboration with the public and private sectors. Its members, including Medtronic, Roche Diagnóstica, and Johnson & Johnson, have driven FDA and EU standards and partnerships with COFEPRIS to streamline registrations. However, multinationals’ focus on AMID and CANIFARMA leaves little room for local SMEs wanting to influence but lacking access to high-level circles.
ANAPS’s Initiative for a Distinct Identity
Led by the National Association of Service Providers (ANAPS), which began integrating members in 2012, now comprises around 740 companies. ANAPS president Carlos Salazar emphasizes the need for a distinct identity for medical device operations in industrial corridors like Jalisco, Nuevo León, and the State of Mexico. ANAPS aims to establish the National Medical Device Chamber (CANADIM) to channel disparate efforts, promote inclusive clusters, and align with Plan México’s pillars, such as circular economy for hospital waste management and advancements in telemedicine and AI applied to health.
Legal Challenges for ANAPS
However, ANAPS must demonstrate compliance with the law. A legal opinion by CG&A, a firm specializing in pharmaceutical and medical device innovation industries, reveals a structural obstacle: the Enterprise Chambers Law requires an industrial chamber to have at least 100 pure industrials (transformative or manufacturing) representing 25% of the specific business and operating in ten federal entities. According to this legal stance, ANAPS fails to meet this material requirement. The document advises ANAPS to form a commercial or service chamber under CONCANACO-SERVITUR instead.
Medical Expo 2025 in Mexico City
Medical Expo takes place this week in Mexico City
It’s worth noting that this week, from October 28 to 30, Medical Expo 2025 at the World Trade Center in Mexico City could serve as an excellent platform for mediation and/or unifying the conflicting parties in the medical device sector. Led by Carlos Salazar (also ANAPS’s president), Medical Expo projects an economic impact exceeding $202 million, with 350 participating companies and 30,000 visitors. The event, detailed by Luis Miguel Camarena, operations director, includes 250 presentations, 300 hours of training, and three B2B networking spaces designed to connect manufacturers, hospitals, and suppliers.
Key Questions and Answers
- Q: What is the current state of Mexico’s medical device industry? A: The sector has grown significantly, with monthly exports surpassing $1.3 billion and a market value of approximately $15 billion annually, driven by clusters in Baja California, Jalisco, and Nuevo León.
- Q: How do multinational corporations and SMEs contribute to this growth? A: Multinationals focus on innovation in other countries, while SMEs provide essential services like logistics, assembly, and distribution around large medical device manufacturing plants.
- Q: What challenges do SMEs face in the medical device industry? A: SMEs lack full representation in private organizations like AMID and CANIFARMA, hindering their potential for growth and influence.
- Q: What is ANAPS’s initiative and its legal challenges? A: ANAPS aims to establish the National Medical Device Chamber (CANADIM) but faces legal obstacles due to the Enterprise Chambers Law requirements.
- Q: What is Medical Expo 2025 and its significance? A: Medical Expo 2025 is an event in Mexico City that could serve as a platform for unifying conflicting parties in the medical device sector, with over 350 participating companies and 30,000 expected visitors.
