Mexico recognizes 110.8 billion peso debt to pharmaceutical industry

The Mexican federal government has officially recognized a debt of 110.8 billion pesos owed to the pharmaceutical industry. According to the Second Government Report of President Claudia Sheinbaum, this amount represents approximately 63 percent of the projected 2026 budget for IMSS-Bienestar. The debt includes outstanding invoices from procurement processes dating back to 2023.

Industry representatives, including the Asociación Mexicana de Laboratorios Farmacéuticos (Amelaf), the Cámara Nacional de la Industria Farmacéutica y de Dispositivos Médicos, and Concamin, are calling for the immediate liquidation of these liabilities. They warn that delayed payments reduce liquidity, potentially hindering the ability of companies to purchase, package, and distribute essential supplies, which could lead to shortages in hospitals and clinics.

In addition to the debt, Mexican business leaders have raised concerns regarding competition in public tenders. They argue that the opening of procurement to suppliers from countries such as India and China creates an uneven playing field, as these foreign entities may benefit from state subsidies. Industry groups claim this practice distorts competition and threatens local employment and national production goals.