Changes in the Mexican Healthcare System: Striving to Increase Public Access for High-Cost Drugs

In this article we explore the ongoing changes and implications for manufacturers interested in gaining and keeping access in the public setting in Mexico.

The public healthcare system in Mexico consists of two main branches operating in parallel: the social security institutions providing employment-based insurance and the Institute of Health for Welfare (INSABI, formerly Seguro Popular) providing services for the uninsured. Historically, there have been significant healthcare disparities between these two organizations, prompting the current government to plan a series of reforms to standardize healthcare access across public institutions.

As part of these efforts, the government plans to introduce a new national formulary, increase the budget of the new Health Fund for INSABI, centralize drug purchases through the Secretariat of Finance and Public Credit (Hacienda), and eliminate out-of-pocket costs. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic has…