Mexico oncology medication corruption allegations

In early October 2026, several advocacy groups, including Movimiento Nacional por la Salud de Niños con Cáncer, Fundación Nicoatole A. C., and De Corazón A. C., filed formal criminal complaints with Mexico’s Fiscalía General de la República (FGR).

The complaints target Andrés Manuel “Andy” López Beltrán and businessman Jorge Amílcar Olán Aparicio, along with Olán’s company, Romedic S. A. de C. V. The accused face allegations of genocide, organized crime, and involuntary manslaughter.

Advocates allege that a corrupt scheme involving irregular contracts, overpricing, and the use of shell companies through the former Instituto de Salud para el Bienestar (Insabi) led to systematic shortages of essential oncology medications. The groups claim these shortages, combined with the acquisition of low-quality or counterfeit drugs, have resulted in the deaths of more than 5,000 children.

Complainants have also called for investigations into potential retaliation against medical personnel who attempted to report these irregularities. President Claudia Sheinbaum has noted that any investigation into the matter falls under the jurisdiction of the FGR, which had previously indicated no active investigations into the accused individuals.