Background and Context
The Mexican health sector faces a critical situation, with significant backlog and debt accumulated from previous administrations. This has resulted in limited access to public health services, medications, and essential hospital supplies. Under the leadership of Secretary David Kershenobobich, swift action is required to address these pressing issues.
Time Constraints and Key Actions
Authorities have until August to establish national health coordinates for short-, medium-, and long-term implementation. However, even with these plans in place, it will take at least six months to execute them. In the health sector, time is of the essence, as delays have already led to preventable deaths due to a lack of medications, equipment, and hospital maintenance.
- Urgent Measures: Authorities must intensify their efforts to address critical issues, including medication procurement and a comprehensive national plan that involves all stakeholders in the healthcare value chain.
- Budget Limitations: The allocated budget for healthcare by authorities is insufficient to meet the sector’s needs, emphasizing the importance of realistic and viable agreements.
- Current Status: The health sector is far from meeting the needs of IMSS and ISSSTE beneficiaries, who continue to pay their employer contributions. The debt to private pharmaceutical companies is substantial, but resetting the relationship with realistic agreements is essential.
Collaborative Efforts and Future Plans
The national development plan must impact sector-specific plans. Authorities have initiated processes, including negotiations among public, academic, private sector, and other institution representatives to finalize the Secretariat of Health’s sectorial plan.
Time is running out, and there is hope for resolving the medication procurement process, which was recently annulled due to apparent mismanagement. Efforts are underway to expedite the process and reassign eligible pharmaceutical laboratories, aiming for a swift conclusion.
Additionally, clinical research is being reactivated, with an estimated $200 million for 2023, potentially doubling by 2026. This investment will lead to more accessible medications and treatments, aligning with Mexico’s unique healthcare needs, as well as promoting prevention and cost reduction for the country. It will also foster employment and business investment.
Regulatory Improvements
Recent announcements have highlighted regulatory improvements aiming to reduce clinical trial and medication approval processing time from 180 to 40 days if approved by the FDA. While these changes are promising, immediate action is crucial as time is running out.
