The Philosophy Behind Private Pharmacies in Mexico Is Service

Service in medication dispensing is, by extension, the beginning of treatment and adherence to it. Service in healthcare coverage means ensuring that medication is available where needed. Service in primary healthcare comes from the doctors in pharmacy-adjacent clinics, who work 365 days a year. As a result, this first-contact medical service provides more than 10 million consultations per month, or approximately 120 million consultations annually.

For Farmacias Similares, a Mexican corporation with more than 9,000 points of sale across the country and over 11,000 doctors in its Pharmacy Annex Office (CAF) system, service is central to its mission. The company also operates Best, its own pharmaceutical manufacturing laboratory, and has expanded into healthtech with telemedicine services. This commitment to service has been transformed into a marketing strategy, promoting the company with the slogan “Friends of All Mexicans.” Through this approach, Farmacias Similares has earned the trust and loyalty of millions of customers, not only those with limited financial resources but also individuals who feel genuinely cared for, including patients, the elderly, mothers, and more. The brand's mascot, Dr. Simi, embodies this mission of supporting people's health and financial resources.

Pharmacies represent one of the most dynamic and competitive industries in Mexico. Major pharmacy chains continue to expand beyond just selling medications, while traditional pharmacies are growing in economically strategic cities. According to Pascual Asesoría en Farmacias, a specialized consultancy in the sector, in 2024, an average of 30 new pharmacies opened per month. This trend is expected to increase by 10% per month in 2025. The growth of private pharmacies can be attributed to several key factors:

1. Post-Pandemic Expansion: Since the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2021), there has been a surge in pharmacy openings.

2. Doctors Entering the Business: Many general practitioners and specialists are investing in pharmacies to integrate prescription issuance and medication dispensing.

3. Hospital and Clinic Expansion: New hospitals and short-stay clinics are adding pharmacies, either for internal use or for public sales.

4. E-Commerce in Medications: Online medication sales are booming, especially among consumers who require chronic-degenerative disease treatments.

5. Medical Devices Market: The sale of medical devices in Mexico has grown steadily over the past decades. In 2023, the sector reached US$18.1 billion (MX$370 billion), and it is projected to reach US$19.5 billion in 2024.

Mexico ranks among the top global exporters of medical devices:

• third in tubular needles

• fourth in syringes

• fifth in respiratory therapy and anesthesia devices

• sixth in disposable masks and gowns

Companies like Medtronic, Johnson & Johnson, Siemens Healthineers, Philips, Cardinal Health, and Fisher & Paykel have chosen Mexico as a key investment hub, reinforcing consumer trust in pharmacies as providers of medical devices.

Despite the sector's growth, challenges remain. The Mexican government’s official bulk medication purchase, valued at over MX$200 billion for 2025 and 2026, has been progressing slowly in supplying public institutions, such as IMSS and ISSSTE. The last-mile distribution of these medications remains unclear. As a result, private pharmacies will continue to serve patients who do not receive their medications from the public sector.

Moreover, the potential decline of the automotive industry in Mexico, which could lead to job losses and dealership closures, may push investors toward new business opportunities — pharmacies being one of them.

All these factors make us very optimistic about the continued expansion of private pharmacies in Mexico.

I appreciate the opportunity to share these insights with Mexico Business News.