Background on Key Figures and Industry Relevance
The Mexican Association of Medical Device Industry (AMID), led by its CEO Ana Riquelme, has expressed support for a recent decree announced by Mexico City’s President Claudia Sheinbaum. This decree aims to stimulate the growth of Mexico’s medical device industry by attracting international pharmaceutical investments starting from 2026. The industry, which includes over 2,300 units and more than 40 production plants, generates approximately 70,000 training opportunities for healthcare professionals and supports over 180,000 direct jobs. It also caters to both domestic and international markets.
AMID’s Support and Requests
Ana Riquelme, AMID’s CEO, acknowledged the positive intentions behind Sheinbaum’s decree but emphasized the need for a level playing field, timely payments to suppliers, and clear regulations. The industry welcomes new competitors but insists on equal treatment for all, including mandatory registration with the Federal Commission for Protection against Health Risks (Cofepris) and demonstration of good manufacturing practices.
Outstanding Payments and Logistical Concerns
- AMID has highlighted concerns regarding pending payments from the federal government for 2023 and 2024, which affect industry liquidity despite administrative processes taking several months.
- The association seeks deeper discussions on public procurement logistics, timely supplier payments, and equal treatment for all industry players.
Details of the New Procurement Process
Ana Riquelme described the new consolidated procurement process as the largest acquisition of medications and medical devices in Mexico’s public healthcare history. However, she pointed out that the delivery of medical devices has not yet commenced, urging swift process acceleration for timely deliveries and guaranteed payments to suppliers.
Awaiting Technical Details
Although AMID supports the decree’s intentions, Riquelme stressed the necessity of understanding technical specifics to ensure legal certainty for investment and development in the industry. Key aspects under review include plant requirements, as medical device manufacturing extends beyond pure production to encompass services like conditioning, distribution, and centers of excellence.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the Mexican Association of Medical Device Industry (AMID)? AMID is an organization representing 48 companies, including two Mexican firms and the rest being multinationals, involved in medical device production.
- What does AMID seek from Sheinbaum’s decree? AMID supports the decree’s goals but requests clear regulations, timely payments to suppliers, and equal treatment for all industry players.
- What are the concerns regarding the new procurement process? AMID is concerned about pending payments and the need for a swift, efficient process to ensure timely delivery of medical devices.
- Why is understanding technical details crucial for AMID? Technical specifics are essential for ensuring legal certainty and predictability, allowing the industry to invest confidently in Mexico.
