Background on the Recognized Efforts
The World Bank and the International Competition Network acknowledged Mexico for a study demonstrating how penalizing companies committing irregularities in health sector procurement enhances public funds usage and delivers genuine benefits to citizens. This information was shared by the Federal Commission for Economic Competition (Cofece).
The Awarded Case
The award was presented during the Competition Promotion Contest 2025, which recognizes efforts to improve government procurement processes and prevent businesses from colluding to inflate prices.
Details of the Awarded Case
The case that received recognition involved 11 companies and 14 individuals sanctioned for colluding to divide contracts and overcharge in laboratory and blood bank services. This resulted in a loss of more than 1,389 million pesos to the country.
Study Findings
The awarded study, titled “Improving Public Health Service Contracting through Post-Evaluation Assessments”, examines the tangible impact of imposed sanctions. The results showed:
- In blood bank services, prices dropped by 29.6% following the sanction;
- In laboratory tests, prices decreased by 4.8% for offerings to the health sector.
Beyond Economic Savings
The report emphasizes that restoring competitive conditions in public procurement enhances government spending efficiency and strengthens access to essential services like medical care.
Reliability of the Study
The study was conducted by two economic specialists, ensuring a reliable and fact-based analysis. Such studies help verify if decisions made to prevent business abuses are indeed yielding positive outcomes for the public.
Key Questions and Answers
- What was the recognition for? Mexico received acknowledgment from the World Bank and the International Competition Network for a study showing how penalizing irregularities in health sector procurement benefits citizens and improves public funds usage.
- Who conducted the study? The study was carried out by two economic specialists, ensuring its reliability and factual basis.
- What were the findings? The study found that sanctioning companies for irregularities in health sector procurement led to a 29.6% price reduction in blood bank services and a 4.8% decrease in laboratory test prices offered to the health sector.
- Why is this recognition important? This recognition highlights the positive impact of penalizing irregularities in public procurement, ultimately benefiting citizens through improved access to essential services like medical care.
