Mexico Reports Advances in Medicine Supply but Gaps Remain

Mexico’s Ministry of Health (SSa) reports near-full coverage in the distribution of medicines and medical supplies across major public health institutions, though authorities say that compliance issues among several suppliers continue to leave gaps in access.

Eduardo Clark, Deputy Minister of Integration and Development, SSa, says that the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) has reached a 97% supply rate, while the Institute for Social Security and Services for State Workers (ISSSTE) recorded similar levels. The IMSS-Bienestar program reported 92% coverage overall, including 96% for oncology drugs. “We are much better than a few months ago,” says Clark, according to El Economista. “But the 3% that remains missing is due to suppliers not meeting their commitments.”

Authorities say that while supply indicators reflect progress, full coverage cannot be achieved without compliance from contracted providers. Officials note that several domestic and international suppliers failed to meet delivery commitments, affecting both general and specialized medicines, with millions of units remaining undelivered.

Alejandro Svarch, Director, IMSS-Bienestar, explains that the institution has implemented a standardized kit of 147 essential medicines for distribution across 23 states. In August, the first delivery phase distributed more than 28 million medicines to 8,061 health centers and 578 hospitals, supported by 11,364 packages across the country. The second phase, launched on Sept. 22 and scheduled to end Sept. 26, aims to supply 8,342 health centers with 9,632 pre-assembled kits. Authorities plan to repeat this process every penultimate week of the month.

Government officials frame the distribution model as a way to reduce disparities in access. “The greatest equity we can aspire to is that for the same illness, all people receive the same treatment, and that treatment is the best,” says Svarch.

The Ministry of Health argues that continued supplier noncompliance remains an obstacle to reaching complete nationwide coverage. Officials call on providers to meet their contractual obligations to ensure consistent delivery to patients across the public health system.