Mature Medicines: A Strategic Opportunity for Latin America

Latin America, and particularly Mexico, faces a healthcare paradox: while public health needs are growing, system budgets and capacities are under constant pressure. Pharmaceutical innovation, though essential, faces increasing regulatory, access, and funding barriers. In this scenario, mature medicines, those with proven efficacy, established safety, and extensive clinical experience, emerge as a strategic solution.

These products help balance financial sustainability with healthcare coverage, especially for high-impact diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, HIV, epilepsy, cardiovascular diseases, and mental health disorders, all priorities for Mexico's healthcare system.

What are mature medicines, and why do they matter now more than ever?

Mature medicines are products that have surpassed their patent period but continue to play a key role in national and international therapeutic guidelines. In Mexico, the National Compendium of Health Supplies (CNIS) recognizes many of these drugs as essential, underscoring their clinical value and importance at the primary care level.

Their current relevance lies in three key factors:

• Therapeutic and regulatory certainty: They are well-known to healthcare professionals, with validated benefit-risk profiles.

• Accessibility: They are usually more affordable, improving coverage without increasing public spending.

• Response capacity: They are crucial to ensuring continuous availability. especially in public tenders or during health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.

What advantages do they offer pharmaceutical companies?

a. Operational efficiency and lower regulatory risk

In Mexico, COFEPRIS recognizes the value of consolidated dossiers, reducing review times for well-known molecules. This allows companies to minimize regulatory and logistical costs and optimize time-to-market. Unlike high-risk innovations, mature medicines enable a strong portfolio with controlled investment.

b. Commercial potential in new segments

The Mexican market offers significant opportunities in:

• Institutional segments (IMSS, ISSSTE, INSABI), where these products are prioritized in tenders.

• State health programs, where immediate access and efficient logistics are key differentiators.

• New formulations or combinations that can revitalize the brand or improve adherence.

c. Differentiation through added value

Today’s market demands more than just price, it demands value propositions. Pharmacovigilance programs, adherence support, smart packaging, or continuous medical education are key differentiators. At Icon Group, for instance, we integrate technology and training to strengthen adherence, particularly for patients with chronic illnesses.

Benefits for Healthcare System, Strategic Positioning

In 2023, public spending on medicines in Mexico exceeded MX$120 billion (US$6.3 billion), according to the Ministry of Finance. The challenge lies in maintaining this investment level without compromising coverage. Mature medicines are a key tool to achieve this, as they enable treatment of more patients at a lower cost.

For the healthcare system:

• They increase effective coverage without inflating the budget.

• They improve treatment continuity, which is essential for chronic conditions.

• They reduce the risk of shortages, as they are locally produced or rely on established supply chains.

For pharmaceutical companies, this is an opportunity to position themselves as strategic allies of the healthcare system, providing cost-effective and clinically proven solutions.

How to Effectively Manage Mature Medicines

A growing trend in Latin America is outsourcing the management of mature products to specialized partners. This model allows multinational companies to focus on innovation while ensuring optimal monetization of their mature portfolios.

At Icon Group, for example, we have established multicountry regional agreements with multinational labs that aim to reallocate resources toward innovative medicines while maintaining their presence in countries like Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Central America, and the Caribbean.

Our approach combines:

• End-to-end product management, from import to placement in thousands of sales points.

• Commercial and promotional expertise.

• Agile and transparent logistics network.

• Omnichannel models for medical visits and point-of-sale management.

• Execution capacity in both public and private sectors.

This specialization allows companies to maximize portfolio value, ensure regulatory compliance, and increase brand penetration with lower structural costs.

Conclusion

Mature medicines are not a thing of the past, but rather a strategic lever for the future. In Mexico and across Latin America, they are a powerful tool to guarantee universal access to effective treatments, while also strengthening the financial sustainability of public healthcare systems.

For pharmaceutical companies, this segment offers stability, profitability, and social legitimacy. Investing in it is not only a smart business decision, it is also a statement of commitment to public health.